This episode explores the work of the Sister Servants of Mary Immaculate (SSMI) through the lens of one of their most significant ministries: the Home of Hope in Ukraine. The SSMI recently opened a second Home of Hope in Chernivtsi, created in response to the large influx of internally displaced people in western Ukraine.
The first Home of Hope in Lviv was created to support girls who have nowhere to go once they age out of orphanages or face circumstances that leave them without secure housing.
The conversation brings together Catherine Fox and Nadiia Jarosz of the Lubov SSMI Foundation in Winnipeg, along with Sophia, a current resident of the home, to illustrate how this ministry provides stability, safety, and community for vulnerable young women.
Nadiia describes the practical challenges of establishing the residence, the renovations required, and the ongoing support Lubov provides for essentials such as food, utilities, education, and medical care.
Sophia offers a firsthand perspective on what the home means for students navigating university life during wartime. She speaks about arriving with nowhere to live, the daily rhythm of shared meals, prayer, study, and the psychological and art‑therapy support that has become essential as air raid alerts and uncertainty shape daily life. Her reflections highlight the emotional resilience and sense of belonging the Sisters foster.
Catherine explains how the Sisters expanded their ministry to Chernivtsi, supported by donors across Canada and abroad, to meet the growing need for safe housing and community for young women.
For more information visit the Lubov website.
Look for the full transcript at the Nash Holos blog.
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