Hosts needed urgently for Ukrainian families coming to region

There are more than 15 Ukrainian families desperately in need of accommodation in Waterloo Region.

Several families are temporarily living in hotels but are eagerly awaiting more suitable lodging with “host families” until they can find their own permanent housing.

The Waterloo Region Grassroots Response to the Ukrainian Crisis (WRGR), a group of volunteers in the region, works to prepare, support and offer resources for the arrival of displaced people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine.

The organization is reaching out to anyone that might be able to provide temporary accommodations for newly arrived families.

"If anyone has a spare room in their house, maybe a secondary unit, or maybe a senior struggling and living on their own, they can reach out to us," said Stephanie Goertz, from the Waterloo Region Grassroots Response to the Ukrainian Crisis.

“A hopeful message from one newly arrived Ukrainian parent says, “We are a Ukrainian family seeking shelter. We are family of six, me, my wife, two kids who are two and five years old, and two babies, four months old. We are staying in hotel right now”.

Goertz began the Waterloo Region Grassroots Response to the Ukrainian Crisis organization and says that the biggest need is finding host families.

As families arrive, volunteers provide donations of clothes, school supplies and hygiene kits to those displaced.

Once a family has connected with WRGR, they are partnered with a Ukrainian speaking “buddy” that acts as a liaison to navigate the Federal application process and connects them with local resources and supports.

Sadly, Goertz said these families have often had to leave everything behind on their journey from Ukraine.

“A buddy also helps to connect them with people interested in offering housing,” she said.

Families may range from a single adult to a couple with children and a pet.

"If anyone has a spare room in their house, maybe a secondary unit, or maybe a senior struggling and living on their own, they can reach out to us," Goertz said. "What we are doing is connecting people and building relationships.”

For anyone who would like to host a Ukrainian family or for more information, visit here.