This manual empowers volunteers with an overview of the knowledge and tools most useful in providing social support to refugee claimants. The manual is divided into four sections: 1) the refugee claimant journey and the volunteer role 2) concepts of voluntary and humanitarian work 3) managing expectations and 4) how the program works. Download the manual here.

Welcome Groups for Refugee Claimants one-year pilot program, with support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. We are currently seeking groups of five or more volunteers in the Greater Toronto Area to be matched with a refugee claimant youth (ages 18-25), single parent household, or large family for six months of social support. To learn more about how you can volunteer to form a Welcome Group, please email hello@togetherproject.ca.

People sometimes talk about refugee issues like they are experts. I don’t think, until you see what folks go through in their daily lives, you can really understand, or even begin to understand the challenges and odds newcomers are up against.

Together Project is launching a new volunteer outreach campaign called, “25 in 2020”. Our goal is to engage volunteers in our Welcome Group program from each of Toronto’s 25 wards. In the fall of 2019, we recruited volunteers in 13 of the 25 wards, as well as Mississauga. In order to reach our goal of volunteer engagement in all 25 wards, we will work with city councillors to help raise awareness, develop community leadership, and encourage volunteers to get involved in building more welcoming communities. Follow along for the next year as we work on this Together Project city-building initiative. To start a Welcome Group in your ward, please email us at hello@togetherproject.ca.