Ukrainian families now call the Sault home
The Kole family has been in Canada for just over four months.
That's nearly the same amount of time their lives in the Ukraine were impacted by military assaults and occupation by neighbouring Russia.
Elvis Kole says life in Kherson was incredibly difficult and eventually he and his wife Nataliia knew a change was needed.
“We didn’t know what to do... everywhere bombing... air strikes. There were days where I was literally crying because I have two kids, two young kids whom I can’t protect,” said Kole.
In July the family was granted access to Canada.
Kole said they have found peace in Sault Ste. Marie and calls it a dream place to live for his two children, aged 3 and 8.
“The very first day we arrive Canada we felt the love of the Canadian people,” he added.
“They showed us love, they’ve been very supportive, they’ve been very caring. We really really like it here.”
Michael Atabong, a long-time friend of Elvis’, moved to the Sault only a month ago, fleeing the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.
“Life continues. You have to move on, we have to try to make a… good situation from a bad situation.”
The two families are among many assisted by the Sault Career Centre.
Adam Pinder, the centre’s executive director said they are helping refugees find accommodation, work, and in Nataliia's case, learn English.
“We’ve received over 40 different clients coming from the Ukraine to reside here in the Sault. Overall it’s been going very well. Our community has been extremely welcoming.”
Kole has been blown away with the support from locals.
The family's landlord is allowing them to stay in their apartment rent-free for a year and neighbours have helped out any way possible.
“(My neighbour) personally took me to his employer. He told him, ‘This guy’s from the Ukraine and he needs a job.’ And immediately I was offered employment.”
He added that both he and his wife have found work, while their two kids are loving school and daycare.
Kole told CTV News that he tells his friends back in Ukraine that if they are looking for somewhere peaceful to start a new life, Canada and Sault Ste. Marie should be top of their lists because of how much the family is enjoying the city.
The Kola family is looking to find a house of their own to purchase in the near future.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL has suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.