In an effort to accommodate as many Ukrainian families as possible the different cities in the North Shore are ramping up their efforts to host refugees from the Russian invasion.
On June 3, the City of Sainte-Thérèse received Mrs. Zhanna Bokhinska at city hall, a mother who left Ukraine with her two children to find refuge in Sainte-Thérèse. During this meeting, the mayor officially welcomed the family and gave a citizen’s card to each member so that they can access the activities of the municipality.
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“The City of Sainte-Thérèse wanted to warmly welcome this resilient family. We are committed to providing them with all the necessary assistance to facilitate their integration. Leaving one’s native country without a return date is a terribly heartbreaking choice. During our meeting, Ms. Bokhinska mentioned having noticed several similarities between Sainte-Thérèse and her hometown. We are therefore delighted to offer this mother and her two children a familiar place where they can find peace and quiet,” said the mayor of Sainte‑Thérèse, Mr. Christian Charron.
Due to the armed conflicts ravaging Ukraine, the family, made up of two children aged 6 and 15, and their mother, had to flee the city of Lviv in order to take refuge in Canada. Established in Sainte-Thérèse since April 20, the family members receive help from Mr. Pascal Tanguay, volunteer citizen who accompanies them in their integration process, Mr. Mattia Potenza, manager of the Le 15 Lesage residence who accommodates the family in one of the establishment’s lodgings, and Mrs. Marjorie Regimbeau, development agent for the organization ABL Immigration which provides reception and integration support as well as offering front-line and referral services to autonomous immigrants and, eventually, to refugees. Part of its mandate is to raise awareness of the contribution of immigration and interculturalism and to promote actions allowing intercultural and international openness in the Lower Laurentians.
The towns of the MRC of Thérèse-De Blainville have created an aid fund to facilitate the reception of Ukrainian families arriving on the territory.
