With the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, many Ukrainian citizens were driven from their homes and found their way to Canada and to Edmonton and area where they found peace and a warm welcome from Cherilyn Michaels and "Edmonton Hosts Ukrainians." Cherilyn began a grassroots volunteer Facebook group to help Ukrainians find a home/ host in Edmonton. To date with more than 25,000 members, they have hosted over 1,700 men, women and children.
Cherilyn coordinated connections between prospective/arrived newcomers and those who have stepped up as hosts. Never willing to turn down a request for help, Cherilyn’s support has been invaluable, not only for the Ukrainian newcomers but to their hosts and other volunteers. She inspired countless volunteers to participate in the Facebook group
The FB group provided
- information and resources to newcomers and those investigating Edmonton as a destination.
- Interactive forum where Ukrainians (both recent newcomers, and those not here yet) can ask questions and be assisted by locals.
- a platform to ask for help about housing, jobs, childcare, how to move furniture, airport pickups, and local volunteers respond.
- help in emergency situations and we respond and assist them.
Olesia is a Ukrainian newcomer who fled the war and was hosted by member Marilyn Mucha. She has a masters in Psychology and works as an Executive recruiter at Gallagher's. 
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