The second anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine is coming up on Feb. 24. There will be a gathering between St. George’s Ukrainian Catholic Church and Pine Centre Mall to stand with Ukraine, starting at noon on Feb. 24.
Share Hope has helped to settle 314 displaced Ukrainians within 126 families, across our region since the invasion began in Feb 2022. We currently have another 52 people within 14 families who are still inquiring about settling in Prince George by the end of March 2024.
As of February 20, 2024, there are 234 displaced Ukrainians registered with Share Hope who remain here In Prince George and 272 across the region. For February we are already anticipating 19 arrivals and 20 expected in March. We certainly experienced an increased trend in the number of enquiries for winter travel since a slower trend over the fall months.
Of the 42 who have left Prince George, 34 have moved to other cities in Canada to accept better jobs or move closer to other family and friends who have since arrived elsewhere. We have seen a gradual trickle of people leaving our city to go back to Ukraine, currently 8 have gone back home.
They continue to set up accommodations with furniture and household items for most families (74 to date) since we started this campaign. As people arrive many begin attending classes at CNC and at IMSS for English language supports.
Currently there are several families who are struggling to find jobs due largely to a lack of proficient English language skills. We are struggling to continue to provide short term settlement support as some experience a longer journey to get fully independent of our various supports. On average, Share Hope proved financial supports to 13 families each month during 2023, from a high of 20 families in March down to four families in December. This number is now trending upwards with the late surge. In the past three months they have been averaging approx. $1,500 per family.