Montreal family-owned hotel creates centre for Ukrainian newcomers

“It regained my faith in humanity a little bit when I see that there are so many good people and when I look at all of these beautiful people they’re always here helping,” said Devaki Groulx a retired English teacher volunteering at the Centre for Ukrainian Newcomers.

From a family-owned hotel to a Ukrainian center for evacuees, Terrasse Royale in Montreal went from having a donation area in their back storage room to having an entire Ukrainian center next door that connects to the hotel.

Ukrainians fleeing their country’s invasion go straight from their hotel to here where over 20 volunteers help them find a job, housing, clothes, hygiene products, French and English classes and more.

The Centre for Ukrainian Newcomers located at 5219 Ch. de la Côte-des-Neiges.

In May we brought to you the story of the Ezril family and their mission to help the people fleeing Ukraine – they’ve since helped over 4000 families.

Igor Ezril, owner of Terrasse Royale Hotel says the need began to go beyond clothes and donations, volunteers were needed to help newcomers settle and guide them through the Quebec system.

Valerii Shershnov and Olena Shershnova are evacuees from Ukraine. The pair came to Montreal in September with their two boys.

Like many newcomers, Valerii and Olena are receiving help from the center to rebuild their lives here in Canada – as they’re still on the waitlist for government French classes – the center has taken matters into its own hands to speed up the process.

Valerii Shershnov and Olena Shershnova arrived in Ukraine in September with their two boys.

That’s where Marie Turgeon Bradley and Devaki Groulx come in. The retired French and English teachers volunteer their time weekly to help newcomers learn the language.

“We’re so happy that we can do something for them this is the least we can do because this is our specialty to teach well. We say why not use it because even though we’re retired I mean why not use it if we’re able,” said Marie Turgeon Bradley, a retired French teacher volunteering at the center.

“I just want to help however I can and make their life a little bit more peaceful, make their life a little bit more cheerful and just give them so they can continue on with their life cause that’s all they want to do,” said Groulx.

Ukrainian children pose in front of a Christmas tree with presents at the Centre for Ukrainian Newcomers.

Olga Sakhnina, one of the managers at the Centre for Ukrainian Newcomers says the waitlist for French classes at the centre exceeds 200 people and many have been waiting for up to seven months for government francization classes.

The centre located at 5219 Ch. de la Côte-des-Neiges Street is accepting all donations and volunteers.