Inna Biliaieva fled her home in Zaporizhia, Ukraine, two years ago, but the devastation and devastation she left behind is still fresh in her mind.

“I was sitting in my house and the doors were shaking from the bombardment. And I didn’t know what to do,” he told CTV News.

Biliaieva and the millions of others caught up in the Russian occupation faced a difficult decision.

“You have a choice to stay and possibly die, or you have a choice to go (somewhere else).”

Like many people, he lost many loved ones.

“They defended us and they are already dead. Many unfortunately. It really hurts.”

He traveled to Germany and Romania before moving to Canada nine months ago.

But Biliaieva continues to struggle with guilt.

“Because you actually feel like you have to support your country, your people.”

In 2022, he found his true calling was to help other Ukrainian refugees.

“Morally, I can’t do anything different. I can’t. I will find Ukrainian refugees to help them in any country, whenever it happens,” he said.

Helping new Canadians

Biliaieva currently works as a volunteer coordinator for Grassroots Response, based in Waterloo Region. The group has helped more than 4,000 people since its founding in 2022.

“We provide security for displaced Ukrainians when they come to Ontario, ensuring they have equality and a safe place to settle,” explained Stephanie Goertz of Grassroots Response.

As the number of people they helped increased, another problem arose.

Some Ukrainians say they are having trouble finding work and that their ability to stay in Canada is under threat.

Goertz said some companies discriminate against immigrants because of their ability to speak English.

“Companies can adapt their hiring processes or how they operate different systems within their company to accommodate people with lower English proficiency,” he suggested.

Grassroots Response doesn’t just help people looking to move to Waterloo Region. Many of his clients are still in Ukraine or looking to escape to other parts of Canada.

The group has become a nonprofit, which Goertz said is good news because they can apply for some much-needed grants. Meanwhile, the organization relies on donations. Goertz encourages anyone who can to donate to do so, and said even a small amount can go a long way.

what’s next

Biliaieva said she still worries about her friends back home. Some chose to return, some never left.

“A lot of people don’t want to leave. They say, ‘This is my home, I’m going to die here.’ It’s about personal choice,” he explained.

He, like the indomitable spirit of his people, has learned much since his departure.

“As you can see from the beginning of the occupation, there were times when people stopped the tanks with their hands,” he said. “You could see the bravery and how people could defend their country.”

Biliaieva continues to be inspired by those who have unbreakable resilience even in the face of adversity.