Ukrainian refugee finds 'peaceful, safe' home in Sudbury

As fighting continues to destroy her home country, Ukrainian Olha Iovych says she's searching for a peaceful, safe community in which to temporarily raise her family.

And she may have finally found that respite in northern Ontario.

Iovych is one of several Ukrainian refugees who have settled in Sudbury, following a mass exodus from Ukraine following attacks from neighbouring Russia.

Iovych said while many refugees located in larger urban centres like Toronto, she chose Sudbury, despite knowing very little about the community, or life in northern Ontario. 

"Part of the reason that they have come here is that they understand that Sudbury is not a huge community," translator Sonia Peczeniuk said. "It's not like Toronto…and what she said beforehand was that Russia has taken away their lives." 

"So they want to come to a community that is basically peaceful and safe and where they can learn English and her child can learn English and they can integrate into our society here."

Along with her daughter, 9, Iovych left the Ukraine, with stops in Warsaw and Toronto, before a distant cousin connected her with Jasmine Rovinelli –  a host family in Sudbury. The family hopes to remain in the community, at least until fighting in the Ukraine ends.

The call-out for assistance, Rovinelli said, came as a bit of a surprise, even to her.

"When the war first started, I don't know why, but I just felt obligated," Rovinelli said. "I had to do something."

"I can put a roof over your head, but that's it," Rovinelli said. "Anything else I can't help you with. We're not rich. We don't have a big home. But can put a roof over your head."

Rovinelli posted twice on Facebook, offering temporary shelter for Ukrainian refugees, but received no replies. But it was the third time that ended up being the charm, she said.

"After two posts. I got nothing. I hemmed and hawed, thought about it, Do I do it? Am I wasting my time? I didn't know."

Rovinelli's husband provided her with just enough motivation to keep trying. 

"He told me, If you want to do it, just do it. So I threw that third post on."