CCIS asks locals to welcome Ukrainian arrivals as more arrive in Calgary

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The Catholic Immigration Society of Calgary is calling for more local families to temporarily host Ukrainian newcomers as they continue to arrive in the city.

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CCIS He said there is a desperate need for host families to take in Ukrainians arriving for a short time because they do not qualify for the temporary initial settlement support that refugees typically have access to. And while CCIS has received funding from Airbnb and 15 federally funded hotel rooms to support newcomers, local hosts are still needed.

“We already have about 70 to 75 people living with hosts, but we will need more as the number increases,” said Fariborz Birjandian, executive director of CCIS.

“When you look at the number of people who have been hosted by host families in places like Poland and Belgium, it’s quite impressive. So I think we can do some of that in Calgary as well.”

Calgary has already welcomed more than 1,000 Ukrainians since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began earlier this year. Birjandian expects many more to come.

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“I know that Albertans and Calgarians have always been there if needed to help refugees, especially these people who come from a situation where no one should be,” he said.

Cathy Garbo took in a mother and her two daughters, ages 23 and 17, after they fled Ukraine when the war began.

“Watching the news and seeing at the beginning of the war the women and children fleeing from Ukraine and the little children pulling their suitcases, it completely broke my heart. They have their whole lives packed into that suitcase or shopping bag and here I am, sitting comfortably in this big, empty house,” Garbo said.

She was connected to CCIS and was approved to receive the three Ukrainian women. They stayed with her for a month before finding work and a place to live.

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“I was paired up with family and I knew the dates they were coming so there was time to prepare. It was a wonderful experience,” Garbo said. “They were warm, loving, and it felt like family from the start.”

She said the experience was rewarding and encourages others to sign up if they have the space and resources to help.

“If you can, lend a hand to get these people off to a good start here,” he said.

Birjandian said anyone interested in becoming a host can contact CCIS for more information. The organization works closely with hosts before pairing them with new arrivals to make sure they are well prepared.

“It is a strong commitment. We appreciate that. But we are there to support you to make it happen. We are very flexible depending on what they can pay or do, we make sure not to overload them with additional work. And we can choose people who will work with them,” she said.

“I think we should be proud that we have been able to respond to this need and I am sure that they will always appreciate what we have done for them.”

Potential hosts can contact Marianna Solomchak, Ukrainian team leader with CCIS, at [email protected].

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