Tigrinya-Speaking volunteers for Refugee Newcomer support

Together Project is delivering the Welcome Group Program in collaboration with IRCOM (Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba).

Together Project's Welcome Group Program matches volunteers (groups of 3-5) with refugee newcomer families for social and integration support over a period of 3-6 months.

• Volunteers will have the opportunity to empower refugee newcomers to the community.


• Volunteers will be assigned to their Welcome Groups and matched with refugee newcomer families based on things like availability, skills, shared interests, and family composition. We like to think there's a match for every kind of Welcome Group.


• Over 3-6 months, volunteers will work together as a group to address the priorities identified by their matched family; in this way, both newcomers and volunteers have an opportunity to get to know each other over time.

Some examples of things you can help your assigned family with:

• Navigate the healthcare system (finding a family doctor, scheduling appointments, or understanding how the system works)


• Practicing English (casual conversations)


• Job search (helping them with resume building or registering them for employment programs available)


• Navigate the public transit system (where to get a bus pass, how to reload it, how to understand routes, getting in/off buses, etc)


• Library system (getting a card, understanding the lending rules, going to events or workshops, etc)


• Filling out forms or online applications (sports, banking, extracurricular activities for children, etc.)


• Getting to know the city, exploring their new home (visiting parks, museums, attending community events, etc.)


• Help them access free/used or low-cost food, clothes, boots, shoes, furniture, etc.


• Exploring hobbies or new interests


• Tutoring or mentoring children or youth


• Socializing and helping them build their own communities


• Learning social and cultural norms (soft skills) from the community

*These are just examples; you can choose what you would like to do during the match, according to your interests, skills, availability, etc.

We're looking for volunteers who are:

• Tigrinya speaking (all levels welcome!)


• Passionate about helping newcomers and making social connections


• Organized


• Sociable


• Culturally sensitive


• Patient


• Interested in supporting newcomers in understanding the city, adapting, and navigating services.

As a volunteer, you will develop these skills (among others):

• Cross-cultural communication


• Relationship building


• Advocacy & service navigation


• Trauma-informed care


• Cultural sensitivity


• Teamwork & coordination


• Leadership & initiative


• Problem-solving & adaptability


• Interpretation & communication support

While you support a family, you will also gain experience in:

• Practicing conversational English skills


• Accessing and navigating community services


• Finding and applying to employment opportunities


• Helping youth with school and extracurricular activities


• Socializing and helping newcomers learn about Canada

Training:

• Together Project provides volunteers with trauma-informed care training before they start the program.


• We will also support you during your participation. Our Program Lead will guide you every step of the way and provide information, resources, and suggestions for approaching different scenarios.


• We also share information about training opportunities provided by other non-profit organizations.

We encourage volunteers to engage with their assigned families weekly (even for just a few minutes), and overall:

• Average of 4-6 hours per month (flexible, depending on your availability)


• Between 3-6 months


• In-person or remote - you decide the format that works best for you and your lifestyle. (in-person visits or outings, video calls, phone calls, or messaging)


• Your individual time commitment is flexible, as responsibility is shared among group members, and Welcome Group members can divide activities according to their availability, interests, and expertise.

• Online Application Form Below
• Email: alejandra@togetherproject.ca (Include Opportunity ID)
• Online: www.bttr.im/a772o