Cindy Fairs91裸聊视频� compassionate heart has served her in both her professional and volunteer roles for many years in the Central Okanagan. Now as the Housing Coordinator for Kelowna Stands with Ukraine (KSWU), she is filled with a passion for meeting the needs of individuals and families fleeing war, pain and hardship. Her primary role is helping to find temporary accommodations for displaced Ukrainians when they first arrive in the Central Okanagan.
91裸聊视频淲hen the war broke out in Ukraine, I was personally touched by the tragedy of what was taking place,91裸聊视频� explains Cindy, who is not Ukrainian, but whose children are of Ukrainian descent. 91裸聊视频淗owever, I strongly contend, that you do not have to be Ukrainian to be compelled to help. All you need, is to have a compassionate heart.91裸聊视频�
91裸聊视频淚 first got involved by attending a candlelight vigil in March of 2022 to honor and remember the Ukrainians affected by the war. At that time, I did not know how I might fit in or what I would do but I knew that if I went, I would figure out the rest,91裸聊视频� adds Cindy. At the event, people were invited to attend a volunteer meeting the following week, which she attended. 91裸聊视频淪oon thereafter, I was asked to join the board, and as such, got to work in developing the structure of the organization and the various programs associated with it. Without the help of many hands and other key volunteers, these programs would not have come to fruition or developed to the point they are at today.91裸聊视频�
Housing was and continues to be a critical need and Cindy is encouraging the community to step forward to help.
91裸聊视频淲e have already placed about 200 families which is the equivalent of 800 people,91裸聊视频� states Cindy. 91裸聊视频淭he need for hosts is essential as more people are arriving! Many of our hosts have hosted different families on an ongoing basis but we still need more.91裸聊视频�
Cindy herself has opened her home, and she has found it to be incredibly rewarding. 91裸聊视频淚 have had many Ukrainians stay with me over the last year, but Nadiia, a young Ukrainian woman, has been staying with me since last summer. She has been a wonderful guest and became involved as a volunteer to support me with the housing program almost from the beginning.91裸聊视频�
Families are matched based on information collected from both the Ukrainians and the hosts. 91裸聊视频淲e vet homes with our Housing Volunteers doing a home-visit with the host family, checking out the homes and space available and answering questions. The hosts are also required to go through a screening process, including completing a criminal record check, but it is a very simple process and fairly quick and painless. Once this has been completed, we connect the Ukrainians with the hosts so that they can start a dialogue and build a relationship before the Ukrainians arrive in Canada.91裸聊视频�
91裸聊视频淲e need more hosts, that is what we need most,91裸聊视频� states Cindy emphatically. 91裸聊视频淗osts may provide space for one month to six months, and in some cases even longer. We ask that hosts provide a safe home environment, meals only for the first few days, and support to take them around to get their documents completed. We support hosts and the Ukrainians with mentorship and guidance so they are not left totally on their own.91裸聊视频�
Cindy points out that language barriers are easily overcome and most hosts benefit from the opportunity. 91裸聊视频淭he joy one receives from doing this is immeasurable.91裸聊视频�
If you are interested in helping as a host contact Cindy at fairs58@gmail.com, If you prefer to help by volunteering in other ways, like helping with fundraisers, organizing KSWU initiatives, or being a mentor to help people settle, contact KSWU at 236-471-9922.
Dorothee Birker is the communications and development coordinator for KCR Community Resources. If you are interested in sharing your volunteer or organizational news, please contact Dorothee at dorothee@kcr.ca.
