A volunteer group is helping settle Ukrainian refugees in Saugeen Shores.
This new task force is spearheaded by Southport Church Pastor David Baker and he says the group began when they started receiving requests from the community as to how can they respond to the Russian invasion.
This follows a meeting held at a community church in Saugeen Shores earlier this year to discuss how to help people who are fleeing.
“The community really drove the discussion and we just decided that we would form a committee, and from just having conversations with people, we formed a committee and that is where we are at today,” says Baker.
Baker says the the group seeks to help refugees as they come into the Saugeen Shores area and connecting them with places to work and live. The group helps organize housing in the form of host homes, providing all the necessities they will need when they arrive.
Host homes are asked to provide housing for a minimum of eight months with support from other members of the community.
Volunteer Stacey Gordon says in an email, “we currently have one adult headed to Port Elgin hopefully in the next four to six weeks. A host home has already been set up to them. To be able to help others fleeing Ukraine we are looking for more host homes in our area.”
Baker adds they currently have six or seven offers for residents to host Ukrainian refugees.
Baker says they are aware when new Ukrainians come to the area by association.
“I have strong connections in Ukraine and so I know several people and several organizations in the country of Ukraine. There have definitely been some people who have reached out directly to me asking if there could be a way they could come to Canada and if there are any connections I’m aware of. Those conversations are happening but I’m not the only one who has those connections either. There are several people within our region that I’m finding have connections to Ukraine and they themselves are finding, I’m finding most of the connections are by association or they are coming across our Facebook groups. There are no shortage of people that are looking to come to Canada,” says Baker.
Baker says they have been in contact with the municipality and praised Mayor Luke Charbonneau for working with them and providing resources, reports and space for the group.
“Whatever we need, they have been at the table,” says Baker.
Baker says as a church organization, they have only been facilitating these conversations, but is thrilled to see the community come together to offer to host Ukrainian refugees.
“I think this is an opportunity for our area to show some of the values that we embody as a region and Saugeen Shores is a beautiful community, filled with beautiful people. I just think this is an opportunity for us to show those values and come together and do the right thing,” says Baker.
If people are interested in becoming a host home, they can send an email to ukrainetaskforce@southport.church or by visiting their Facebook page, Saugeen Shores & Surrounding Area Hosts for Ukrainians Support & Info.