Kelowna will welcome a temporarily displaced Ukrainian family this weekend.

has supported a Ukrainian family in their escape from the war in Ukraine.

Local teacher Nina Typusiak is housing the displaced family, mother Ivanka, and children Maxim, 9, and Natalia, 6.

Their last name has been redacted to protect their privacy. Andre, their father and husband stayed behind in Ukraine to fight.

sa国际传媒淲e need to honour their privacy and fear,sa国际传媒� said Typusiak about respecting the trauma that the family has endured.

The family fled Ukraine on March 4 and since then have been staying with 12 other people in a one-bedroom apartment in Prague.

The three had to leave behind most of their belongings, able to bring only one suitcase and two small backpacks of essentials while fleeing the Russian attack.

sa国际传媒淚vanka resists with fear everything that is offered to her because it is too scary,sa国际传媒� said Typusiak.

sa国际传媒淪he is so extremely traumatized,sa国际传媒� said Bonnie Penner, founder of the Bravery Foundation.

Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran told Capital News that he is sa国际传媒減leased that members of the community have stepped up, I really commend those people opening their homes.sa国际传媒�

Basran said sa国际传媒渕ore refugees are welcome,sa国际传媒� but acknowledges the difficulty that people face securing housing in the Okanagan.

sa国际传媒淭he situation is heartbreaking,sa国际传媒� said Basran.

Typusiak hired a Toronto-based company to help Ivanka and her children obtain the appropriate papers to enter Canada.

The family has received their Visa and has purchased their plane ticket, paid for by Typusiak.

sa国际传媒淭he Bravery Foundation is working to help all refugees fleeing the war.sa国际传媒�

Those looking to help Ivanka and her family, and those that will be arriving after them, can do so by donating or checking the Bravery Foundation website for specific needs that the arriving families have.

The website also provides up-to-date information for refugees and people escaping war hoping to enter Canada and for those able to host displaced families.

Kelowna Stands With Ukraine has organized a collection bin for donated goods. Contact UkraineKelowna@gmail.com for more information.