June 10, 2022 (Ottawa, Ontario) Today, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress-Ottawa Branch (UCC-O) received a $20K grant via its charitable partnership with the St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Shrine through an anonymous donor at the Ottawa Community Foundation (OCF). This grant will help UCC-O strengthen its crisis relief role and capacity within the current settlement landscape.
The grant will help UCC-O to support the complex Ukrainian settlement process and formalize their approach to supporting displaced persons arriving from Ukraine to the national capital region. The group also announced the launch of the UCC-O Settlement Assistance Fund at the OCF to make it easy for donors to contribute to the cause. This Fund marks the UCC-O fundraising campaign kick-off, with an initial goal set to raise $200,000 by the end of 2022.
Olenka Bastian, UCC-O Ukraine Crisis Committee member, talked about the need to formalize processes to promote successful settlement outcomes and build the case to secure future funding. “Volunteers are making a difference in many ways, but the complex challenges and the scope of support needed require a coordinated approach. This OCF investment will help UCC-O maximize opportunities to work more effectively with established agencies and networks in the settlement community. This OCF grant, coupled with the new Fund, will help UCC-O build a sustainable way to receive and deploy valuable resources.”
The grant allows UCC-O to connect with other local settlement initiatives and organizations, analyze the needs of individuals and families coming to Canada, and identify concrete steps to improve and support the settlement process.
“I’m so proud of the unwavering generosity shown by the residents of Ottawa time and time again,” said Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson. “This donation by OCF to support the UCC-O’s settlement efforts for displaced persons from Ukraine demonstrates that the nation’s capital is always ready to welcome new residents with open doors and open arms.”
Marco Pagani, OCF President and CEO believes the initiative is an important milestone in an evolving situation. “This is about harnessing the incredible goodwill of Ottawa–those of Ukrainian descent and otherwise. It will help create and build upon existing social infrastructure that connects people with the services and supports they need. It’s perfectly aligned with our approach of investing in projects that can be scaled up to meet an urgent or growing need.”
The UCC-Ottawa Settlement Assistance Fund is now accepting donations to support the UCC-O’s work.
Donations to support UCC-O settlement relief services through the OCF can be made here.
Background
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has triggered a global humanitarian crisis leading to an outpouring of support. The UCC-O, through a volunteer-led committee, opened the Maidan Market in Ottawa’s west end to welcome newcomers with clothing, food, and other necessities. And the OCF, via donor-advised funds, has already facilitated more than $40,000 in grants to various Ukraine-related campaigns.
The OCF has a proud history of welcoming newcomers, most notably in 2015 during the Syrian refugee crisis. Alongside a united coalition, they provided initial support in the founding of Refugee 613, today a leading information hub for refugee newcomers and groups.
However, the unique and complicated nature of the Ukraine crisis is evident. The estimated number of Ukrainians arriving in Ottawa is currently more than 3,500 – double the number of Syrian refugees that have settled in the area. It is anticipated that 12,000 displaced persons from Ukraine will have arrived in Ottawa by January 2023.
Under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program, Ukrainians arriving in Canada do not have access to the same federal assistance as refugees. Volunteer-led initiatives organized through the UCC-O with coordination support from Refugee 613 and other grassroots volunteer groups have been enthusiastic but primarily ad-hoc.
For more information, please contact:
Carole Anne Piccinin
Ukrainian Canadian Congress-Ottawa Branch
caroleanne.piccinin@gmail.com
613.799.0386
Rebecca Aird
Director, Strategic and Community Initiatives
Ottawa Community Foundation
raird@ocf-fco.ca
About the Ottawa Community Foundation
The Ottawa Community Foundation is a public, charitable organization created by and for the people of Ottawa. As the charity for charities, it leverages philanthropic resources to strengthen and empower the charitable sector in the National Capital Region and beyond. Through engaging philanthropy, strategic granting, social infrastructure building, and community leadership, the foundation strives to create positive, systemic, and sustainable impact.
About The Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Ottawa
The Ukrainian Canadian Congress Ottawa Branch (UCC-O) is a not-for-profit incorporated in the province of Ontario. UCC-O is a member of UCC National, along with many other local branches in cities across Canada.
UCC-O represents the Ukrainian Canadian community of Ottawa, promotes linkages with Ukraine, and identifies and addresses the needs of the Ukrainian community in Ottawa to ensure its continued development within the city’s socio-cultural fabric.
UCC-O is made up of over 20 member organizations that represent our community across a wide spectrum of demographics and interests. These organizations are separate entities with their own members and are represented within UCC-O via their member representatives who elect the Board.
There are currently over 1.4 million Canadians of Ukrainian background living in Canada, and over 25,000 residing in Ottawa and the surrounding area.