‘I didn’t expect so many good people’: Ukrainian refugee speaks on settling in Hamilton

When Vladyslav Sukharyev heard the early-morning explosions outside his family home in southern Ukraine, questions he never imagined answering were suddenly all he could think about.

What do you do in these situation? What do you take?" he recalled of Feb. 24, 2022, as Russian forces edged closer to his hometown of Kherson.

It is a very strange feeling to leave all your life."

Ultimately, Sukharyev, his wife and three children loaded what they could in their car, escaping via traffic-jammed roads to Poland, where they'd remain for nine months anxiously waiting for a favourable turn in the war.

That never happened.

Instead, almost a year after being forced from his home, Sukharyev found himself in a place he'd barely ever heard of: Canada.

The 37-year-old and his family arrived a few months ago, settling in Hamilton after hearing of its strong Ukrainian community and work prospects.

All I knew about Canada and information about Canada was information I read on the internet 10 years ago," said Sukharyev, a former seaman. I read there were good people here, but I didn't expect so many good people."

It's taken just a few weeks for Sukharyev to breathe life into his new beginnings. He's got a job on the Hamilton Harbour discharging cargo and loading port vessels, and secured a rental unit for his family on the Mountain.

But there are challenges for newcomers beyond employment and lodging, he said, like learning a new language, finding a school for kids, and understanding how to obtain an OHIP or SIN card.

That's where Wesley Urban Ministries comes in.

The local non-profit has helped Sukharyev and at least 800 Ukrainians who fled the Russian invasion adapt to life in Hamilton over the past year, providing them with settlement plans tailored to their needs, said Rashed Afif, senior director of newcomer, housing and employment services.

These are very individualized plans because every family has different needs," said Afif. Some people have higher English levels or higher levels of education and might not need as much help; they just need guidance and information. But some families need more assistance."

Afif said case workers are assigned to families and hear about their challenges before pointing them to available supports. Some of those resources are broad, such as weekly online workshops for English and financial literacy, while others are more individualized to specific families.

Some people need to find a family doctor, financial assistance, employment, housing, SIN cards and OHIP cards, and we assess those needs and help with whatever is necessary, like applications," Afif said, noting the agency is ready to assist the hundreds of Ukrainians expected to arrive in Hamilton in the coming years.

Take Sukharyev, who, while managing fairly well on his own, said Wesley's guidance has helped him gain a better understanding of what's required to access different services and how to reach them.

They help me open bank account, set up insurance, get SIN number; they also make appointments with schools for my kids."

In Ukraine, he added, these would be simple errands, but in unfamiliar settings they become tough to navigate.

Wesley was super helpful because they give you the information and they explain to you where you must go and what you must do," he said.

My mind now has changed totally in the last year, because what was important to me before when I was in Ukraine is not important to me now, and it's very nice to get help with these things."

Indeed, what's important to Sukharyev now is laying the foundation for a stable future for his family, he said. That means continuing his employment, but also supporting his wife and kids as they adapt to a new language and culture.

My wife is taking English courses and it is very hard to learn new language, but you must keep trying," he said, noting she is taking courses hosted through Hamilton's branch of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress.

My kids started school two or three weeks ago," he added, and they really like it because it's totally different system than Ukraine. The teachers there always push the children and they are afraid to go to school. Here it's fun and it's very nice."

Perhaps most difficult about his transition has been accepting his life has turned a new page, one he didn't necessarily ask for. I had whole life built in Ukraine; I bought a house three years ago. Then in one second, everything is totally destroyed, and I begin empty page of my life," he said. But here I don't have to escape anything again. I want give to my kids a quiet future without war."

Quiet - but not without fun or adventure. A few weekends ago Sukharyev took his family sightseeing to Niagara Falls, hoping to show them their new home is more than just friendly faces.

We expect some small little falls, you know? But they were very, very big. It left good impression on us."

Sebastian Bron is a reporter at The Spectator. sbron@thespec.com