Swahili-Speaking Group Volunteer Refugee Newcomers

Overview

Together Project connects government-assisted refugees and refugee claimants with volunteers to build stronger, more integrated communities in Winnipeg. Our Welcome Group Program serves newcomers facing challenges to successful integration, including language and culture barriers, health issues, unemployment, and social isolation. Volunteers support priorities identified by matched households, helping newcomers get to know the community and build social connections. Together Project is a charitable initiative of the Make Way Shared Platform and is supported by evidence-based program evaluation and research to inform and improve impact.

Volunteer Opportunity Details

Volunteer Opportunity

As featured in The Globe & Mail and the CBC, Together Project s Welcome Group Program matches volunteers with refugee newcomers for social and integration support over a period of 3-6 months. Volunteers will meet with and empower refugee newcomers to participate in the community. The program is delivered in collaboration with IRCOM (Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba).

• Swahili-speaking
• passionate about helping newcomers and making social connections
• organized
• sociable
• culturally sensitive
• patient
• interested in social work, immigration, and/or settlement
• open to using virtual communication tools (e.g. Whats App, Zoom, etc.)

Volunteers will be assigned to Welcome Groups and matched with refugee newcomer families based on availability, location, shared interests, and family composition. Over 3-6 months, volunteers work together to address the identified priorities, building connections over time. As a volunteer, you can help newcomers with:

• practicing conversational English skills
• accessing and navigating services (e.g., healthcare)
• finding and applying to employment opportunities
• supporting youth with school and extracurricular activities
• socializing and helping newcomers learn about Canada

Together Project provides volunteers with training, guidance, and interpretation/translation assistance to maximize impact.

• Age: 18-30, 31-54, 55+
• Time Commitment:
  Micro Volunteering, Flexible Hours. Typically about 3-4 hours per month over a 3-6 month period; interactions can be online or in-person.
• Time is flexible and shared among group members; activities are divided according to availability, interests, and expertise.

Note:

Volunteer interest often exceeds available opportunities; responses may take time.

Once your application is accepted, a staff member will contact you via email to arrange an interview. For questions, contact:

Jennilee Austria, Communications and Program Outreach Specialist

Location of volunteer opportunity:
Winnipeg, with access to the following areas:

• Assiniboine South
• Downtown
• Elmwood
• Fort Garry
• Inkster
• Point Douglas
• River East
• River Heights
• Seven Oaks
• St. Boniface
• St. James-Assiniboia
• St. Vital
• Transcona

• Does opportunity require a criminal record check? Yes
• Will cost be reimbursed? No
• Does opportunity require a child abuse registry check? No
• Opportunity is available to groups (small, family and friends) and Swahili-speaking candidates
• Organization will provide: a letter of reference, supervision, training/orientation

Address: B Suite 511, 428 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3C 0E2 (Suite 511, 428 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R3C 0E2)

Please note our team works a hybrid model; appointments are highly encouraged as we are not always in the office.

Volunteer Manitoba acknowledges the original lands and ongoing stewardship of Indigenous peoples whose territories we work on and commits to reconciliation and collaboration in partnership with Indigenous communities.