Helping Ukrainian families integrate into Grey County

Are you at a loss for words every time someone does something nice or important for you? You seem to want to express everything you feel, but all you can say is "thank you" and "thank you very much"?

I want to express my gratitude to Gray County Cares for the support of my family and other Ukrainians, mothers and children. This company and volunteers helped us to adapt to this situation (because when I came to Canada with a child, I could not imagine the future) and with their help we felt at home. The help was invaluable: a dentist, language courses, obtaining a driver's license, children's camps, a house, a car, furniture, clothes, shoes... such ordinary things that are necessary for life. They united Ukrainians and their families in a community unity where we can communicate and support each other, share experience.

No words of gratitude can describe my gratitude and all the feelings! I am so grateful to Gray County Cares for their support and presence in our lives!

Tetiana S. (Thornbury, ON)

Arriving in Canada, there were many doubts and fears as to whether we, and most importantly, our children, would be able to adapt in a country with a different language and mentality. But with the help of Gray County Cares, we were able to.

Thanks to them, our children attended summer camps where they made friends and learned the language. Not only the children, we also learned the language and still continue to learn it, passed exams, got a job, received all the necessary documents with their help. Many thanks for everything they have done for us and all Ukrainians, and for what they will do for them, because without the support of Gray County Cares it would be much more difficult to manage our lives.

Katerina S. (Kimberley, ON)

My son and I came to Canada in November 2022. For a long time I could not understand the right path to take, but after I met the wonderful volunteers from Grey County Cares, my son and I understood that everything would be fine with us. The volunteers helped us with everything you need for life in Canada. My son and I received a lot of support. They helped us with the registration of documents for the school, also paid for driving school for me, and also helped to buy a car. They rented an apartment for my son and me, they help with the registration of summer camps, as well as with furniture for the apartment and also dentistry.

With the help of Graley County Cares, we also met many Ukrainians who also told how they were helped with everything they needed. We are like one family, we are very proud of these people who are not indifferent to what is happening in our country and are not indifferent to us all new immigrants.

I am very grateful for such support for all Ukrainians. Thank you Grey County Cares.

Anastasia Z. (Owen Sound, ON)

I would like to express my immense gratitude to Gray County Cares for their support and assistance to our family. I came to Canada with two small children and, to be honest, we did not plan this trip, the circumstances caught us unexpectedly. We would not have been able to survive in Canada without the help of Gray County Cares, because we were neither financially nor morally prepared for it. They helped to find housing, supported financially. Thanks to their help, I got my driver's license, solved my dental problems, and have household items, furniture, and electronic equipment. My children attended soccer and other sports summer camps thanks to their support. They helped solve many issues related to papers and phone calls to various institutions. Organized English language courses and payment for them.

Also, thanks to Gray County Cares, we Ukrainians have the opportunity to meet and communicate together in our native language and discuss various issues. With Gray County Cares, we have someone to celebrate Christmas and birthdays with. We feel needed, even though we are far from home.

Alona S. (Kimberley, ON)

Once my son and I moved to Canada, it was very hard. Without knowing English, I wasn’t sure how I could find a job here. Without a credit history, I wasn’t sure how I would rent a place. But everything became much easier when I learned about Grey County Cares. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Grey County Cares for helping Ukrainians and their children. From the first day, they welcomed us with open arms, offering us the essential help we desperately needed. Before GCC started helping me, I didn’t think I would be able to pay for my son’s education, which he so aspires to. They helped us find a warm place to live and provided us with English classes for a job and education for my son.

Grey County Cares also connected us with local services, ensuring we had access to healthcare, dental care, and community programs. Their constant support and kindness have made our new life in Canada not just easier, but filled with hope and a sense of belonging.

Oksana Z. (Barrie, ON)

I am 23 years old. Gray County Cares provided me and my family with invaluable support and assistance after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, both financially and emotionally. After arriving in Canada, we were immediately settled into a house fully equipped, with a separate room for each of us, and a full refrigerator of food. Since then, there was never a moment when I felt abandoned or in a hopeless situation, GCC took care of me at every stage: finding a job, moving to a separate apartment, being able to be mobile, in the form of my own car, then it was moving to another city , admission to the university and now I am on the threshold of a new stage, completely calm, because there is someone to take care of me.

While I'm studying, I don't need to work a night shift to pay rent or earn food, I can only concentrate on studying so that I don't fail and become a worthy professional in my field, not to mention paying for the education itself, which I or my family would never be able to provide for me here.

Yana S. (London, ON)

My name is Olena. I am a mother from Ukraine. She came to Canada with her little son to escape the war. I recently moved to Owen Sound. I ended up in very good hands at Gray County Cares. This group helps me adapt in this city. I study the language, found a kindergarten for my son, work, treat my physical and psychological health, furnish my rented apartment with furniture and everything necessary for a normal life. I feel cared for and supported every day.

I am grateful that this group united us, us Ukrainian mothers and children. We can communicate and support each other. It is so important to have a family and to know that you are not alone! I pray to God every day that I and my child are under the protection of such a wonderful country as Canada! War is very scary, and children are the most important thing, for the sake of which we travel so far from our home, to save them and give them a peaceful childhood and a chance for a wonderful future.

It is very difficult now for every Ukrainian, no matter where he is, and our heart cries with Ukraine. But we must be strong to pass on our strength and love to our children, to raise them in peace and harmony. And I believe that our children will grow up and make an invaluable contribution to this country - Canada!

Olena H. (Owen Sound, ON)

These moments seemed insurmountable, but thanks to Gray County Cares, namely your help and full support, everything turned out to be not so difficult. My family and I are incredibly grateful for everything you have done and are doing for us. A huge thank you! By providing help in this difficult time for all of us, you give not just material values, but give hope that together we will overcome any difficulties. You gave us the feeling that here in Canada, we can feel at home.

Help with housing, with finding a job, providing everything necessary for a comfortable life with children, various developmental activities for them, music and math lessons and reading, help with learning English, college studies, organizing birthday parties for children, driving lessons and much more other help, which cannot even be enumerated. As they say, the world is not without good people. I made sure of this. I say this with confidence because Gray County Cares supports and helps us and many families who came fleeing war and looking for safety and a bright future for their children.

A low bow and a huge thank you for your help and support, sensitivity and kind hearts.

Angela M. (Owen Sound, ON)