Ukrainians families who have arrived in recent months to Cold Lake can get a helping hand on some of the costs they are facing.

Cold Lake city council agreed to start a temporary assistance policy for those taking refuge from the Ukraine crisis by setting aside $15,000.

That money will be administered through the Cold Lake FCSS and will help for things like taxis to transport groceries and recreation opportunities at the Energy Center.

“Without the donations from the various communities and the helping hands, these people would be in a world of hurt,” Mayor Craig Copeland told Lakeland Connect. 

“This is council putting the money to give a helping hand.” 

The City was asked at a fundraiser put on by Action for Healthy Communities to see what they could do for these incoming families.

The Ukrainian Arrival Temporary Assistance Policy would see eligible families receive two taxi trip vouchers a week and one punch pass for each family member to use at the Energy Center.

Eligible participants are those who live in Cold Lake, been displaced and have received a temporary work permit or have received refugee status as of Feb. 24, 2022, and have been endorsed by Action for Healthy Communities.

The Government of Canada has been offering some assistance to help families get settled for those arriving from the crisis with one-time payments of $3000 for adults and $1500 for those 17 and under.

Applications are to be submitted to the Cold Lake FCSS by no later than Dec. 16.