Mentor Family Network Organization

The Mentor Family Network Organization (MFNO) was formed to fill the gap of managed temporary housing and placement support for Ukrainians looking to come to Canada. In the beginning first arrivals were taken to the house provided with food clothing and support for getting identification as well as official appointments. The families were supported through registration for school job searching and arranging medical appointments. MFNO was able to provide additional support to a family with what was needed for their autistic child. Most newcomers have little or no English and MFNO connects newcomers with different service organizations arranges appointments provides transportation and translation support. Some newcomers are in need of urgent medical and dental care and these priority situations are addressed immediately. Since the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel (CUAET) program started we had more newcomers but they didn’t have place to go after two weeks temporary hotel provided from government. The directors of MFNO bought a house independent of the charity for ongoing use to help newcomers first few months until jobs and financial stability could enable the family to become independent. Our reputation has spread internationally and people are contacting MFNO from abroad to confirm that they’ll not be alone in new country and have support. Many reporting that they wouldn’t make this big step in their life not knowing if they would be welcomed in Canada. For many months it was a typical story - single mom with two boys left their bombed out home in Ukraine then waited in Poland for a Visa to Canada. Kids didn’t have the proper winter boots or clothes and the hotel didn’t provide food. Finally upon arriving in Canada MFNO helped register the kids in school and found job for mom and secured before and after school program for boys. The school boys received donated laptops printer and lots of school supplies. MFNO spends considerable time building networks of support people resources and information to help newcomers. This includes but is not limited to: finding living spaces relationships with local Welcome Centres local employers hotels The Ukrainian Canadian Congress divisions Canadian families (hosts) transportation. MFNO also runs social events (BBQ’s and meetings) as well as on key Canadian holidays provide a common traditional food to help integrate into the culture (Thanksgiving Day Christmas…)

MFNO also networked with several private and free ESL instructors who work with smaller groups can tailor training and lessons and increase the adoption of English and their ability to speak and read. MFNO quickly learned through some of our refugees’ cases that significant psychological help was also needed. Connecting with key service providers to assist with mental health we also created a cultural network of similar people with experiences to help comfort and guide those still gaining experience. The network became self-feeding and now the established independent families help those beginning in Canada and seeking to become independent. MFNO was approached to support a family with a severely disabled son that required accommodations that could support their accessibility needs and was within their financial means. The son needed a proper wheelchair and MFNO sourced donors technical specialists and physiotherapists to design develop deliver and train the son in a specialized chair. We are now also supporting with physiotherapy. One of the directors attempts to travel annually to Ukraine to learn of the situation from inside the borders. Returning from a 5 week trip in 2024 she learned of the struggles and challenges those trying to shelter in Canada. This helps MFNO significantly in being able to provide better advice and support while understanding the real world challenges faced by refugees even before getting out of the country and being able to arrive in Canada. Some newcomers chose to stay in Ontario with our help accommodation and support while others chose to move to BC MB or AB where we were able to provide some assistance for getting started. In BC MFNO has donated clothes household items and essentials to Ukrainian groups working in Nanaimo area. To this day MFNO has provided temporary housing and support directly to over 65 refugees while providing guidance and support to several hundred families arriving in Canada.