A Ukrainian woman who fled the war a year ago with her 14-year-old son to settle in Quebec is slowly starting to feel “at home” again, having found the reference she needed at the YMCA.
Like many Ukrainians, Natalia Pavlenko was uprooted from her country and found herself in a completely unknown land while war raged in her country.
Her arrival in Quebec was not easy and she needed to find an environment in which she would feel comfortable to begin this new beginning.
“I was looking for my very first landmark that I needed to feel at home,” says Natalia.
The one who now lives in the Limoilou district quickly found the YMCA in the neighboring district, in Saint-Roch. She felt drawn to the place.
“Without hesitation, I decided to become a member,” she continues. I was convinced that it was the place I needed to fully flourish in my new life.”
Natalia and her son quickly established a routine around the YMCA without worrying about money, since she was able to benefit from financial assistance to register with her son.
A real springboard
Natalia calls the YMCA a “stepping stone” to her new life. If she wants to move forward, she appreciates the enormous empathy shown by everyone she meets in her new living environment.
“There is a small part of my house that I found here,” she observes.
Interview with Natalia Pavlenko, a Ukrainian refugee, who benefited from the help of the YMCA upon her arrival a year ago in Quebec, Wednesday May 8, 2024. STEVENS LEBLANC/JOURNAL DE QUEBEC/AGENCE QMI)
Stevens LeBlanc/JOURNAL DE QUEBEC
She regularly goes to the YMCA training room very early in the morning. She often meets the same people, which has a positive effect on her life.
“It certainly created links in my social network,” emphasizes Natalia.
The financial support that Natalia and her son received at the YMCA is possible thanks to the donations that the organization receives. Moreover, May 14 will be the closing day of a historic fundraising campaign for the YMCA. Since 2017, nearly $21 million has been raised, spread over nearly 30,000 donations.
These donations will be used in particular to support young people in their personal and academic life journey and to provide places accessible to all to break isolation through the various services available in all YMCAs in Quebec.
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