Huron County – Since Russia invaded Ukraine almost two years ago, a team of volunteers working with the Huron County Immigration Partnership has been helping Ukrainians fleeing the violence to settle in the area. This effort has revealed a need to have a more established support system to ease all newcomers, from Ukraine and elsewhere, into county life.
A new organization, the Huron Newcomer Support Association, has been created to help better support these efforts. This volunteer association will work with partner agencies such as the YMCA, faith groups, and government to ensure immigrants have the tools they need for a successful transition to life in Canada.
Immigrants are important to the future of Canada and Huron County, but they can face multiple challenges, especially in a rural area with limited transportation and housing options. Volunteers have been key in helping families get settled in homes, find jobs, learn English, enroll children in school, and generally make them feel welcome.
The association is holding an information night on November 28 from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. at the McKay Centre, 10 Nelson St. E., Goderich. All are invited to attend and celebrate the launch of the association with food and drinks and learn about the newcomer experience, the achievements so far, future goals, and how to join in the effort to ensure Huron County is a welcoming place.
The event is open to all volunteers and those interested in volunteering, newcomers, support agencies, newcomers, and the media.
The Huron Newcomer Support Association is a volunteer group that works to welcome and help newcomers from outside Canada who are settling in Huron County without other support. The association helps link newcomers to agencies and programs that can provide the services they need to ensure a successful transition to life in the county.
Huron County Immigration Partnership is a collaboration of community members, organizations and business partners working to create a welcoming community for newcomers. It operates out of the County of Huron’s Economic Development Department and is supported by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
For further information:
Mark Nonkes, Local Immigration Partnership Manager
C: 519-524-0296