A church in Fort McMurray has started a refugee fund to help bring a young family fleeing the war in Ukraine to Fort McMurray.
Fort City Church is seeking to bring a better life to Atrem, Sophia & their 5-month-old son Joseph.
The young family fled the Ukrainian city of Mariupol to Warsaw, Poland where they got in contact with the Warsaw Community North Church which is a partner of The Alliance Canada.
Doug Doyle, Lead Pastor of Fort City Church told Mix News that Atrem’s parents chose not to leave Mariupol, and that he fears for their safety.
Doyle explained that they had worked with Syrian refugees in the past and that it had worked out well.
“We realized we’re ready again to do something like that, and we just felt moved to make a difference.”
He commented that they’d already been doing work on the front lines and just felt they needed to help a family and bring them over here.
“A lot of the work will be just us working with them in terms of getting them connected to healthcare, getting them housing, and working to get them connected with the English language through Keyano (College).
Fort City Church has been accepting donations directly through its webpage.
Doyle stated that one hundred per cent of the proceeds go towards assisting the young family.
“Our objective is to support them for one year while they get adjusted to life in Fort McMurray.”
If you wish to support the family, you can do so by going to the Fort City Church website and choosing Ukraine Refugee in the drop-down menu.