Everyone is watching with heavy hearts what is happening in Ukraine. With many Strathcona County and area residents being of Ukraine heritage, the County stands with Ukraine and supports the Ukrainian-Canadian community. As Ukrainians begin to arrive in Canada, there are many ways for you to help or get information for those coming to Strathcona County. 

How you can help

Donate:

• The Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal
  • This was established by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress and the Canada-Ukraine Foundation. This fund has already delivered multiple tranches of aid to affected populations in all corners of Ukraine, including some of the hardest hit cities in the north, east and south of the country. More information can be found through the Canada Ukraine Foundation
• The UN Refugee Agency Canada
  • UNHCR is working with Ukrainian authorities, the United Nations and other partners to provide humanitarian assistance to people who are have been forced to flee their homes.
• Alberta Council for the Ukrainian Arts
  • ACUA is a non-profit Ukrainian arts organization hosting an in-person and online Art for Aid fundraiser with 100% of proceeds go to humanitarian aid in Ukraine through Canada Ukraine Foundation (CUF).
• Government of Canada Ukraine Sovereignty Bond
  • The Ukraine Sovereignty Bond is a special Government of Canada bond to support Ukraine. The Ukraine Sovereignty Bond will provide an opportunity for individual Canadians, and institutional investors around the world, to provide financial assistance to the Government of Ukraine while maintaining confidence in the safety of their funds through an investment backed by Canada's triple-A credit rating.

Offer support:

• Ukraine Take Shelter and I Can Help Host
  • These websites are an independent platform helping to connect Ukrainian refugees with potential hosts and housing.
• Government of Canada Job Bank
  • Employers wishing to support Ukrainians through offers of employment can register available jobs using Job Bank’s Jobs for Ukraine webpage. Job Bank is a free, bilingual website that provides employers with access to thousands of potential employees and offers a free and secure space for job postings.
• Connect with Canadian-Ukrainian Agencies:
  • Alberta Stands with Ukraine
  • Ukrainian Canadian Congress Alberta
  • Ukrainian Canadian Congress Edmonton Branch
  • Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC)
    • The UCC is the voice of Canada’s Ukrainian community. The Congress brings together under one umbrella all the national, provincial and local Ukrainian Canadian organizations.

Information for Ukrainians coming to Canada

Local Support

Strathcona County

Newcomer Connector— Free events with a meal and speakers where you can connect with other newcomers and learn how to access support in your new community.

Recreation and Transit Passes*

• Everybody Gets to Play– free one-year Active Pass+ to access recreation centres
• Everybody Rides — discounted monthly bus passes for local transit

*Available to Ukrainian individuals displaced by the conflict and entering Canada on or since Feb. 24, 2022

Solutions Navigation — Not sure where to start? This team is here to support with everything from housing concerns to childcare to getting a driver’s license. They will hear your story and learn the strengths you can lean on to move forward.

Counselling — The FCS counselling team is here to listen and come alongside you in this difficult time. No appointment is needed — call 780-464-4044 and you will be connected to a counsellor.

Strathcona County Library - The Library offers resources and classes to support new immigrants and English-language learners. The Library also hosts a settlement practitioner from the Edmonton Immigrant Services Association who can help newcomers with tasks like:

• Finding a place to live
• Setting up bank accounts
• Assessing work skills and licenses
• Helping students adjust to a new school

Other Support

General/Immigration

• Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET)  — the Government of Canada is offering Ukrainians and their families free, extended temporary status to work, study and stay in Canada until it is safe for them to return home. Learn more about immigration.
• Watch the CUAET YouTube tutorial to learn more – video is in Ukrainian
• Ukrainian Canadian Social Services Edmonton — offers immigration, settlement and community services to those moving to Canada from the Ukraine.
• Consulate General of Ukraine in Edmonton — one of many diplomatic missions in Canada that represents Ukraine in the region. The Consulate may be able to offer some services to Ukrainian citizens in Canada. Contact the Consulate for more information.

Health

• Alberta Health Services is the local health care provider — learn how they can help you.

Education

• Two school boards offer bilingual education in Ukrainian and English — Edmonton Catholic and Elk Island Catholic.

Finding Work

• Alberta Supports Centres — Provides employment programs and services across Alberta, including job fairs, workshops, information sessions, and labour market information.
• Alis Alberta — Provides career, learning and employment information for Albertans.
• National Occupational Classification — the nationally accepted authoritative resource on occupations. It is used to categorize occupations in Canada by skill levels. The NOC can help you determine if your work experience is eligible under Canada’s immigration or work permit programs.
• The Government of Canada Job Bank — The job bank has a list of current job opportunities in Alberta. To cut down on your job search time, find the jobs that match your skills and experience through Job Match.

Immigrant-serving agencies

These agencies offer services to newcomers, including help with finding a job.

• Catholic Social Services
• Edmonton Immigrant Services Association
• Edmonton Mennonite Centre For Newcomers (EMCN)
• Edmonton Region Immigrant Employment Council (ERIEC)