By Jennilee Austria, Guest Author
When refugee newcomers arrive in Canada, everything can be overwhelming: navigating a new city, learning a new language, finding community resources, signing up for school, and so much more.
To help with this transition, Together Project matches refugee newcomers with Welcome Group volunteers for up to six months of social and integration support. Through remote or hybrid meet-ups over WhatsApp or Zoom, our volunteers assist newcomers with their specific priorities such as English practice sessions, creating a LinkedIn profile, searching for free children’s programs, and so much more.
Why Some Newcomers Prefer Remote Support
Since they often have to juggle work, children, appointments, and more, some newcomers ask to only meet their Welcome Group volunteers remotely.
“We didn’t meet in person because we felt that there was no need for in-person meetings,” said Amal*, a single mother of three. “I prefer remote interaction, because I think at first it saved time, and that gave us the opportunity to be able to conduct our other responsibilities in the family and our home.”
Along with saving time, for other newcomers, it’s easier to meet volunteers remotely so that it won’t interrupt their workday.
“I preferred virtual meetings because it was easier to connect and I could even take the calls during my lunch break,” said Adnan*. “It was also very difficult for me to travel and take non-paid days off. I would prefer not to lose pay so that’s why I didn’t prefer to meet in person.”
While some newcomers prefer in person meet-ups, remote volunteer support works well for other refugee newcomers dealing with the pressures of a busy household or a packed workday; the flexibility of a WhatsApp chat means that our volunteers can give newcomers support when they need it most.
Story of a Welcome Group Match
One Welcome Group helped a teenage girl and her family navigate Canadian life– all without meeting in person.
Khansaa had arrived in Canada with her family, and were quickly overwhelmed by everything in their new community until their caseworker encouraged them to join the Welcome Group Program.
The family was supported by four Together Project volunteers— some of whom had come to Canada as newcomers themselves.
“I felt comfortable with everyone because they created a WhatsApp group and I could finally ask any questions and they would be answered right away,” Khansaa said. “We had regular meetings online or over the phone. We needed help with multiple things and we scheduled calls to go over everything.”
Group lead and long-time Together Project volunteer Sara was very engaged, and her constant support meant a great deal to Khansaa.
“I would call her multiple times a day just to ask questions, and we would talk about the help I needed, and then also just about life,” said Khansaa. “Sara would call multiple times a week, too. It was so easy to reach out.”
Other volunteers helped with English practice. “We would have video calls, and all of us were there— my siblings and parents,” said Khansaa.
The family also asked the group where they could find the right resources for their needs.
“In the beginning, figuring out which products were halal was causing us trouble. The group taught me how to use an app so that we could scan what we see, and figure out if it works for us or not,” Khansaa said.
“They helped us sign up for a halal food bank and a furniture bank, too. They were continuously helping us out with government letters that we didn’t understand. They helped us connect with the YMCA so we could enroll in ESL classes, and now the whole house is studying.”
Through WhatsApp, video calls, and even a halal food app, Khansaa’s Welcome Group were able to help her family begin to feel at home in Canada in a myriad of ways.
“My family was really lucky to be in this program,” she said. “We are much more empowered.”
Jennilee Austria is Together Project’s Communications and Program Outreach Specialist. To learn more about Together Project and how you can get involved, please visit Together Project’s website at togetherproject.ca. Together Project is an initiative of MakeWay Charitable Society.
*Names changed for privacy.
