Submitted by
Jim Perchaluk
On behalf of the Parkland Ukrainian Family Fund, I am pleased to provide a positive update on our support for Ukrainian families in Dauphin.
The fund is now directly supporting 20 families from Ukraine. In addition to these 20 families, there are a number of citizens from Ukraine who have relocated to the Parkland to work on farms or reside with family.
Our support to 20 families has definitely exceeded our initial expectations when the fund first started last April at which time we had planned to assist two or three families.
With the generosity of the people throughout the Parkland and province of Manitoba, we have received cash donations along with many donations in kind, such as housing, household furniture, clothing and bikes to support 20 families.
Our support group of volunteers have provided transportation from the airport in Winnipeg to Dauphin, along with rides to the grocery store, bank, work, medical appointments, English classes, etc.
A great example of the excellent support services provided by the fund, with a financial contribution from the Dauphin and District Community Foundation, is the set-up and funding of English classes two evenings a week to assist in the learning of our language.
As families arrive there are some that have good English language skills and those that cannot speak any English, so the classes are adapted according to the individual needs.
They are quick learners, so even the beginners progress well within several months, which helps in developing their employment skills.
With our volunteer support we have, therefore, been able to welcome and support 56 people from Ukraine who have fled the war.
Of the 31 adults who have arrived, and are able to work, most are finding jobs in our community. There are 25 children who are either in our schools or day cares and many participating in dance or swimming lessons.
All are quickly adapting to our Canadian life and are very appreciative of the support and opportunities that are being provided by the fund and community.
As these families integrate into our community, they are making a great addition economically, educationally and socially as new citizens of Dauphin.
When the fund first started accepting families, we made a commitment to the first 12 families to provide financial support for 12 months of housing, six months of transportation, and three months of food and incidentals.
Once we went beyond acceptance of the first 12 families, we had to scale back our financial support to stay within our financial means, therefore, our financial commitment to the latest families were for three months of food and housing, plus support services. Total expenses to date from the fund for the families in the Parkland have been $133,000 and another $142,000 has been allocated to complete our commitment to the 20 families.
The war in Ukraine rages on today and many more Ukrainians are continuing to flee to countries like Canada. Many however, arrive in cities and are left to fend for themselves with little or no support services. Our community, on the other hand, has welcomed those who wished to come to Dauphin, and we can be proud of the support which we have provided through the generous donations and countless hours of volunteerism in support services.
As I have said in the past, the Parkland Ukrainian Family Fund will assist as many families as the generosity of Dauphin and Parkland communities will support through donations and volunteering.
At this time our fund has maxed out financially in its commitment to assisting the 20 families which are here now. Support to additional families will depend upon new donations to the fund.
On behalf of the Parkland Ukrainian Family Fund, I thank all those who have already generously donated to the fund and encourage those who still wish to help, to donate to support additional families.
Receipts for income tax purposes will be provided in the next several weeks to all those who have made cash donations.
For more information call Larry 204-648-5904.
