The second episode of Together Project’s podcast is now up! We hear from Sam, a refugee from Uganda, who tells us about being matched with Together Project volunteers and looking for work in Canada.

Listen on GooglePodcasts: https://bit.ly/2Z2vJWL 

ApplePodcasts: https://apple.co/2QUTaNb 

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2F3lRVt

Many organizations are working together to create Welcoming Communities for refugee newcomers in the GTA and Mississauga. Based on a 2010 “Characteristics of Welcoming Communities Report” by Dr. Victorira Esses, Together Project has identified five ways that volunteers and newcomers can play a role in building Welcoming Communities. Learn more here.

What inspired you to get involved in Together Project?

Three main reasons.

The first reason is my gratitude for Canada. My parents immigrated to Canada from Greece when I was very young and we have found it to be such a wonderful and kind country full of opportunities. At the age of 15, I decided that I wanted to give back to Canada for the wonderful life it has offered to my family and me, and I’ve been volunteering in different ways since then. Read more.

Ngozi (not her real name) is a refugee claimant single mother with three children who arrived in Canada about one year ago. She is in a Welcome Group match with five women volunteers for six months. Ngozi shares her thoughts on remote social support with Together Project Co-Director, Anna Hill. Read more.

“I help with Arabic translation between volunteers and newcomers. At the beginning I was in almost every WhatsApp chat translating. It gave me a lot of hope that I am doing something useful. I never knew my language could provide so much help in Canada.” – Khadije. Read more here.

Together Project has launched a podcast! We will be interviewing volunteers in our Welcome Group program to share their experiences being matched with refugee newcomers in Toronto and Mississauga. Listen to our first episode now featuring Amy, Eunice, Melissa and Byra. Special thanks to Rahwa for allowing the volunteers to share their stories. Listen on Apple: https://apple.co/2YNjQ7b or Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3fiXjVE