Skip to content

Local Hero Awards 2023: Couple making life safer for Ukrainian refugees in Greater Victoria

Brian and Sharon Holowaychuk of Ukrainian Safe Haven say the real heroes are the Ukrainian people

The West Shore Local Hero Awards are back! You can find this year’s special feature in the March 22 edition of the Goldstream Gazette or online under e-editions. Stay tuned for more on each of this year’s honourees, you will also be able to read their stories online at goldstreamgazette.com/tag/local-hero-awards.

Like most heroes, Brian and Sharon Holowaychuk - who run Ukrainian Safe Haven - don’t view themselves as such.

Their work, powered by community members across Greater Victoria, is simply an effort to make the lives of Ukrainian refugees better.

It all started when the couple purchased a stunning piece of land about 40 minutes outside of Victoria, between Langford and Sooke. Their goal at the time was to make it Brian’s retirement project, restoring the historic buildings on the property to transform them into a resort.

But when Russia invaded Ukraine in late February 2022, Brian said all that changed. His grandparents had come to Canada as children and when he and his wife saw the inhumanity of the Russian invasion, they knew they had to do something.

“This is about humanity,” Brian said of the project. “These people are going through events that should not be happening on this planet today.”

In essence, the message of Ukrainian Safe Haven is hope, but Brian said what his guests have gone through will continue for many more in Ukraine.

“We’re in this for the long haul,” Brian said. “We’re committed to helping the Ukrainian people as long as they need help. Hopefully the war ends tomorrow but realistically I think this is going to go on for a long time.”

Still, after the exhaustion fades and a sense of safety sinks in, Sharon said the children that stay with them revert back to being just that.

READ MORE: Collaboration provides comfort for families at Ukrainian Safe Haven

“When they get to us, they’re so tired and traumatized too, but before you know it the children are just running and playing with the other children,” Sharon said. “It is so rewarding to see them happy and care-free.”

The Holowaychuks said the difference they are making in these lives are a reflection of the generosity and kindness of the community around them.

Because they cover all the basic necessities, such as food and rent free of charge, Ukrainian Safe Haven depends on the community for a lot of things, but people also go a step beyond.

From the basics to more time-intensive things such as English language education, driving lessons and tours around the area, Brian said the community has been integral in the work they’ve done.

“We are a registered charity and we’re running 100 per cent off donations,” Brian said. “The community has been tremendous supporters of our project, all the way through and they continue to this day. The community is a big part of our project, we could not do it by ourselves. It would be impossible.”

Though the Holowaychuks do so much for the families that stay with them, they said the real hero status goes to the Ukrainian people, who have made it so far and gone through so much.

“They come basically with a suitcase, everything else in their world, they have had to leave behind,” Brian said. “As appreciative as we are for this award, we don’t view ourselves as the heroes here. The Ukrainian people are the heroes and we’re just trying to help.”

To donate to Ukrainian Safe Haven visit ukrainiansafehaven.org.

READ ALSO: Sooke quilters sewing warm welcome for Ukrainian refugees


@HLFerguson
hollie.ferguson@vicnews.com

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.



Hollie Ferguson

About the Author: Hollie Ferguson

Hollie moved to Victoria from Virginia in September 2022 with her partner Zachary and their two pups, Theodore and Bibi.
Read more