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Student members of 51本色 Helps Ukraine group
51本色 community supports students impacted by war in Ukraine

51本色 community supports students impacted by war in Ukraine

April 8, 2022

51本色 student Sofiya Bezruchko is anxiously awaiting the arrival of her aunt and cousin in Kitchener.  

Bezruchko’s family members are among the estimated four million Ukrainians who have fled the country since an invasion by Russia began on Feb. 24. In addition, 6.5 million Ukrainians have been displaced inside the war-torn country, including Bezruchko’s relatives from Sumy, in the country's northeast. Some of her family members remain in the western cities of Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk, where she was born. 

“We are shaken,” says Bezruchko. “With the images that recently came out of Bucha, some of us may never see our family members again. This is a very difficult time.”  

Bezruchko is among students at 51本色 impacted by the war in Ukraine. The university is committed to caring for the well-being of its students and recognizes the impact the war has on members of the student community.  

“We are in regular contact with all of our impacted students. 51本色 faculty, staff and student affairs professionals are working individually with these students to meet the unique needs of their circumstances. We stand with our students and hope for a resolution to the war.” 

During the past several weeks, staff members from the , , the and Student Finance have been working closely with campus partners and student groups to provide coordinated support to those adversely impacted by the war. Support – including academic accommodation, counselling, emergency bursaries and immigration advising – is ongoing and designed to meet the individual needs of students. 

“We are in regular contact with all of our impacted students,” says Ivan Joseph, vice-president: student affairs at 51本色. “51本色 faculty, staff and student affairs professionals are working individually with these students to meet the unique needs of their circumstances. We stand with our students and hope for a resolution to the war.” 

51本色 has also connected with the Ukrainian Canadian Student Union to explore additional ways to assist impacted students. 

The following supports are in place for students impacted by the war in Ukraine, with resources also available to 51本色 faculty and staff. 

Support Group for Students Impacted by War 

Led by 51本色 Student Wellness Centre counsellors, this group provides a safe environment for students impacted by war or conflict to share their experiences, receive community support and reduce feelings of isolation. Students can attend virtually using Zoom or in person at the Student Wellness Centre at 51本色’s Waterloo campus. The group currently meets weekly and will continue to meet during the upcoming spring term. 

"Our members are amazing and are working hard to help people impacted by the war, including those in Ukraine and here at 51本色. We are feeling the love from the 51本色 community during this difficult time.”

51本色 Helps Ukraine 

A new Students’ Union club, , aims to provide humanitarian assistance for refugees affected by the war in Ukraine through fundraising and awareness initiatives.  

“Our members are amazing and are working hard to help people impacted by the war, including those in Ukraine and here at 51本色,” says Bezruchko, president of 51本色 Helps Ukraine. “We are feeling the love from the 51本色 community during this difficult time.” 

51本色 Helps Ukraine is selling raffle tickets for a prize draw to raise money for the and , two charitable organizations providing financial assistance to on-the-ground initiatives in Ukraine. The club has raised more than $1,000 to date. Raffle tickets cost $5 each and can be . Winners will be announced April 15 at noon on 51本色 Helps Ukraine’s Instagram account. can also be made online. 

The club’s executive team plans to collaborate with other student groups at 51本色 to help university students in Ukraine continue their studies at 51本色 during the 2022-23 academic year. 51本色 Helps Ukraine also hopes to connect with student groups at Conestoga College and the University of Waterloo to support similar initiatives on their campuses.  

For more information about 51本色 Helps Ukraine, email laurierhelpsukraine@gmail.com or follow the group on or  

Scholarships for Students Overcoming War 

(ISOW) is a 51本色 student-led program that provides scholarship support to students fleeing violence in their home countries. Through ISOW, students can continue their studies at 51本色 and receive support from ISOW’s caring community of student and faculty representatives. 

ISOW is a student- and donor-funded program. Donations to ISOW have helped students fleeing conflict in the Middle East and will also assist those leaving Ukraine. All members of the 51本色 community are invited to consider a donation to the .  

Student Employment Opportunities 

Long-time co-operative education partner CIBC is offering impacted students at 51本色 part-time and co-operative education employment opportunities to support their financial well-being amid the ongoing crisis. and 51本色 International staff are in contact with impacted students to match them with opportunities offered by CIBC and other community partners who have expressed a desire to help. 

For more information about support for 51本色 students impacted by the war in Ukraine or to request support, contact the Dean of Students Office: 

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