Eva, what were your priorities when you started your match?

Eva: I wanted to focus on finding a new place to live, my studies, English lessons, and finding a  job. I also needed to find day care.

How did the Welcome Group volunteers help you achieve your goals?

Eva: The volunteers helped me find an apartment in Scarborough, get a library card, improve my CV, and study. They helped me search for housing online and we visited different places. After we found the apartment, they helped me bring in the furniture, move in, and make a home.

What were some of the highlights of the match?

Amy: Getting to know Eva and the boys has been a big highlight for me as well as meeting the other volunteers. We are all at different ages and stages of life but we have a common purpose and we created a little family or community. I was impressed with how Eva was able to transform her new apartment, which was very basic, into a lovely home for them, and I really enjoyed helping with that.  I think we all learned a lot about what it is like in the Toronto rental market; it’s not an easy situation for newcomers. There is a lot of overt and covert discrimination happening in the rental market today.

Kathleen:  Eva told us about the discrimination she was experiencing when trying to secure a rental agreement. But one of the volunteers in our group is a lawyer and he had great ideas about how to prepare to answer questions that landlords are not supposed to ask. We wanted her to be able to deal with difficult situations. He wrote out speaking points that she could use. He also encouraged Eva to get references from her current landlord. Eva’s a great cook; on another visit we assembled a dining table and then she served us a delicious jollof rice dinner on it!

Amy: Kathleen was the lead of our group. She identified that each of us had different backgrounds and talents and interests and helps us organize our roles so we could use everyone’s expertise to help Eva with her challenges.

What were some of the challenges of the match and how did you overcome them? 

Amy: Finding the apartment was challenging. Kathlen was looking online on Kijiji and I went to visit a few apartments with Eva before she found one that was suitable.   Once she got the apartment, we helped her find furnishings and we brought tools over to help assemble and repair some of the furniture. At the same time, other volunteers were helping Eva update her resume, look for childcare, and language classes.

Eva: After I got the apartment, the next big challenge was finding daycare.  We have done many things to try to secure a spot. We contacted all the daycares that are close to me. But until the school year ends, it’s very hard to make big progress in this area.

Kathleen: It is tough to figure out what to do if something isn’t working. For example, when Eva was facing barriers applying for an apartment or a daycare spot, we wondered, what was really going on? Bureaucracies are complex and so we kept trying to clarify whether there was another action we could take. Also, her new apartment is quite far from us so we can’t meet her in person as often as we’d like. Her son is 18 months old and very energetic. He always wants to be involved so it’s hard for her to go out. But eventually, we found the right moment to help her move forward.  We just kept asking her if she needed anything and looking for resources that could help.

How has your experience in the Welcome Group Program impacted you?

Eva: When you go to certain countries, you expect to encounter racism. But I never thought I would encounter this kind of program. This kind of program gives me hope to keep going.

Amy: I had a basic understanding of the challenges that newcomers face but I didn’t know what those challenges would feel like in someone’s day to day life. Yes, there are resources and programs but it takes a lot of effort to navigate those systems.

Kathleen – It is complicated to figure out where to start and how to prioritize what challenges to solve first. You come face to face with what newcomers experience. We are still working on daycare, English lessons, and finding a job.

What advice would you give to newcomers who may feel nervous about joining the Welcome Group Program?

Eva: I strongly recommend that newcomers apply to have a match with Together Project. It has really helped me. It has not only helped me physically but also psychologically. I feel like I have family here. This adventure is not easy. I am alone in Canada but I have found brothers and sisters who are able to help me. Of course you already know how to do some things by yourself but you can also learn and benefit from their experience. 

What advice would you give to potential volunteers?

Amy: Bring an open mind and a respect for differences. In any friendship, what your friend wants might not be what you want. At the same time, you can’t be passive. Keep the communication flowing. Keep asking and offering help. It might not be the right time or place but if you stay in touch, the right moment will come.   Remember you are not alone.  Within the group there is always somebody who can help.