Support Alina, a Grieving Ukrainian Mother and Her Newborn

Alina, a 28-year-old Ukrainian woman, has faced unimaginable challenges in the past few months. She fled the bombing in her hometown of Zaporizhzhia while six months pregnant, seeking refuge in Canada. However, her struggles did not end there.

She arrived in Canada alone, with no family or support system, and when she did not know where to find support and was facing homelessness a settlement organization in Toronto told her about Grassroots Response a community based group in Waterloo Region.

Volunteers took action immediately supporting Alina with housing, social and mental health services, transportation, food, and much more. Over the past two months, her husband, whom she had expected to eventually make his way to Canada, died in a car accident in Ukraine. A monthly later due to an emergency she had to have surgery and gave birth a month early.

Grassroots has been a crucial source of support for Alina and her newborn baby. However, the volunteers who run Grassroots are currently facing difficulties in finding sufficient funding to keep the group running. That's why we have launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise additional funds to help Alina and others who depend on Grassroots.

Unfortunately, we do not receive any funding from the provincial or federal government. Most of our donations come from individual people. We greatly appreciate any support you can provide to help us continue our important work.

How funding will support Alina and her baby

Grassroots would like to provide Alina with flexible employment to allow her to save money so that she can eventually become more independent. Not only will a job with Grassroots help her financially but it will allow her to start the process for permanent residence in Canada. Ukrainians typically only have a 3-year window to apply for permanent residency after having to work for full-time for 1 year. Many Ukrainians have had to leave Canada, some with nowhere to go.

Join us in providing immediate and critical support to Alina, and help her start a new life in Canada. Your contribution can make a significant impact on her journey towards a better future.

Grassroots Response to the Ukrainian Crisis is made up of over 800 volunteers in local communities; neighbours, service clubs, churches and more who come together to help families.

We believe local communities can make a significant difference in the lives of Ukrainians fleeing the war in Ukraine.

Learn more about how local communities are making a difference. www.wrgrassrootsresponse.ca