We Need Your Help to Raise $20,000 for the Client Emergency Fund
Dear Friend,
This month, 8-year old Mykola hopes to celebrate a very special birthday – his first in Canada.
Mykola was born in Ukraine during rising political instability and unrest in Crimea. That year, his grandparents left their home country for Peterborough. Never could they imagine that eight years later, their grandson Mykola, his parents and siblings would be among more than 2 million people fleeing from the war.
Ukrainian families like Mykola’s will have a chance to be safe and have a new beginning through the federal government’s “Canada Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel” program. Ukrainians will be able to stay in Canada as temporary residents for up to three years.
In the coming months, many Ukrainians will reunite with their families in Peterborough and Northumberland. They will be welcomed and supported by our community.
Still, we are deeply concerned because as temporary residents, they will not be able to access supports like OHIP, Canada Child Benefit, temporary housing or a housing start-up allowance when they first arrive, or not at all in some cases.
That is why we are launching an urgent appeal to raise $20,000 for our Client Emergency Fund.
Ukrainians have to leave their whole life behind. Financial supports will be crucial to these families as they rebuild their lives.
For many years, the NCC Client Emergency Fund has helped our most vulnerable clients with basic needs like food, shelter and medical treatments.
We need to ensure we are able to support those fleeing Ukraine and other newcomers in times of need.
Your support changes lives.
While Mykola and his parents are still waiting in Poland for their passports and visas, Mykola’s siblings (13 and 14 years old), arrived in Peterborough last week. Their grandmother has already connected with NCC settlement worker, Steve Ross. He has oriented the two young teenagers to life in Canada and they will be going on a tour of schools this week.
Because of supporters like you, children like Mykola and their families have the chance to start anew.
Please consider making a gift to the New Canadians Centre today.
Help newcomers to Canada feel safe and belong.
Yours Sincerely,
Andy Cragg
Executive Director
New Canadians Centre Peterborough
P.S. With your help, we hope we can reach our goal of $20,000 for the Client Emergency Fund. Any additional donations will be directed towards programs and services that respond to urgent and emerging needs of clients arriving from anywhere in the world.
P.P.S. If you have already contributed to support this humanitarian crisis, thank you for your help!
UPDATE April 6: Last week, we asked for your help to raise $20,000 for our Client Emergency Fund to support those fleeing Ukraine and other newcomers in times of need. Not only have you helped us to do that, you have raised $30,000 for the fund in less than one week.
Thank you – we are truly grateful! Now that we’ve met our goal, your donations will be directed to the Peterborough Welcome Fund for: 
mental health supports for newcomer youthemployment programs that provide on-the-job English language trainingactivities that introduce newcomers to the community to build social connectionsand other programs and services that respond to urgent and emerging needs of our clients arriving from anywhere in the world.
Thank you for walking with us every step of the way.