Ukrainian family finds new home in Calgary
Posted Oct 13, 2022 10:22 am.
Last Updated Oct 13, 2022 10:23 am.
Olena Myroshnychenko and her daughter Elizabeth found a home in Calgary after they were forced to leave their home in Ukraine.
After spending time in Poland, they found their way to Saskatoon, before ending up in Calgary, where they met the Richardsons.
Todd Richardson, dealer principal at Lexus of Royal Oak, and his wife Natasha, the dealership’s event manager, opened their home to the Myroshnychenkos and hired Olena as a barista.
“Being empty nesters, we have three empty bedrooms in our basement and we often felt ‘how can we help?,'” Natasha told CityNews.
“After looking at them I could just tell that the only thing they were wearing was stuff that was given to them when they came to Canada, and you know, my heart just shrunk,” Todd said.
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Myroshnychenko says the Richardsons welcomed her and her daughter with open arms.
“It happened very fast, really. We meet, and about next four days, we live together,” Myroshnychenko said.
Myroshnychenko adds she’s thankful for the job and a place to live, but she can’t help but worry about the war in her home country.
“Now, it’s more problem Ukraine. But tomorrow, everyone don’t know what happen tomorrow,” she said.
Todd is also a member of the Rotary Club of Calgary. The community organization held a “Ribbons for peace” fundraiser Wednesday night. Todd says the event is to help other Ukrainian refugees in the city.
“Most of the funds are going to go towards some kind of education or training towards the new Ukrainians that are moving here for English language,” he said.
You can donate online at the Rotary Club’s website.