Huron County, Ontario – Huron County Immigration Partnership is supporting community-led plans to provide help to families arriving from Ukraine. Currently, volunteers are being recruited to assist newcomers with housing, transportation, and conversational English-language practice.
“The first families from Ukraine have arrived in our communities. In the months ahead, more families will arrive and volunteers are needed to provide housing and transportation to newcomers to Huron County,” said Kristin Crane, the Huron County Immigration Partnership Program Coordinator.
Additional volunteer support is required to help newcomers learn and practice English, along with numerous other areas.
“We have a long tradition of volunteerism and welcoming people new to our communities,” said Huron County Warden Glen McNeil. “We want every person who arrives to feel like they belong and are supported as they resettle here.”
People interested in volunteering can fill out a form at local Huron County Library branches or online at: https://connectedcountyofhuron.ca/support-for-ukrainian-newcomers
The Huron County Immigration Partnership is working with Ukrainian Diaspora Support Canada to match Ukrainian families who are arriving with volunteers.
“We are connected with people from Ukraine waiting to fly to Canada once housing is found and volunteer commitments are made,” said Mary Mokrushyna, Director of the Ukrainian Diaspora Support Canada.
As well, newcomer settlement advisors from the YMCA of Southwestern Ontario are ready to assist newcomer families in their first days of settling in Canada.
“We help connect newcomers to the resources and information they need to feel established in their new home. We assist by guiding people as they access and sign-up for government services, English classes, various social supports, employment, healthcare, education and other daily life needs. Based on a newcomer’s unique needs and strengths, our Newcomer Settlement Advisors will help build a personalised plan for individuals and families to help them achieve their unique goals,” said Jacquie Rumiel, VP of Newcomer and Community Services at the YMCA.
Both the Huron County Immigration Partnership and the settlement services of the YMCA of Southwestern Ontario are funded by Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada.
Additional in-kind support is being offered by The Town of Goderich to assist with volunteer coordination.
“As a community that is truly blessed to be safe during a very troubled time, we want to extend our warmth to every new arrival, especially those who are escaping conflict from Ukraine,” said Goderich Mayor John Grace.
Welcome signs written in both Ukrainian and English in Ukraine’s official colours are being distributed to County residents and are available at local Huron County Library branches.
For more information contact:
Mark Nonkes
Immigration Partnership Communications Officer
County of Huron
57 Napier Street, Goderich, ON N7A 1W2
mnonkes@huroncounty.ca