Arabic-Speaking Welcome Group Volunteer for Refugee Newcomers
Job Description
Winnipeg MB R3A 1R6 Website: http://www.togetherproject.ca Organizational Description: Together Project connects government-assisted refugees referred by IRCOM (Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba) with volunteers to build stronger, more integrated communities in Winnipeg.
Our Welcome Group Program serves newcomers who face significant challenges to successful integration in their new communities. These include language and culture barriers, health issues, unemployment, and the lack of social connections.
Together Project provides a platform for community engagement to address these challenges, ensuring that it both complements the work of existing service providers and is tailored to the needs of individual newcomer families. Volunteers will work to address specific priorities identified by their matched household, through which both newcomers and volunteers will also have an opportunity to get to know each other and build social connections.
Together Project's work is supported by evidence-based program evaluation and research to inform and improve our impact.
Together Project is a charitable initiative of the MakeWay Shared Platform. Volunteer Opportunity Details Volunteer Opportunity ID: 6145 Description of Duties:
Together Project is delivering the Welcome Group Program in collaboration with IRCOM (Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba).
Together Project's Welcome Group Program matches volunteers (groups of 3-5) with refugee newcomer families for social and integration support over a period of 3-6 months.
• Volunteers will have the opportunity to empower refugee newcomers to the community.
• Volunteers will be assigned to their Welcome Groups and matched with refugee newcomer families based on things like availability, skills, shared interests, and family composition. We like to think there's a match for every volunteer!
• Over 3-6 months, volunteers will work together as a group to address the priorities identified by their matched family; in this way, both newcomers and volunteers have an opportunity to get to know each other over time.
• You can apply individually or with your friends, family, work colleagues, etc. If you apply by yourself, we will match you with other individuals to work together, as a group.
• Some examples of things you can help your assigned family with:
• Navigate the healthcare system (finding a family doctor, scheduling appointments, or understanding how the system works)
• Practicing English (casual conversations)
• Job search (helping them with resume building or registering them for employment programs available)
• Navigate the public transit system (where to get a bus pass, how to reload it, how to understand routes, getting in/off buses, etc)
• Library system (getting a card, understanding the lending rules, going to events or workshops, etc)
• Filling out forms or online applications (sports, banking, extracurricular activities for children, etc.)
• Getting to know the city, exploring their new home (visiting parks, museums, attending community events, etc.)
• Help them access free/used or low-cost clothes, boots, shoes, furniture, etc.
• Exploring hobbies or new interests
• Tutoring or mentoring children or youth
• Socializing and helping them build their own communities
• Learning social and cultural norms (soft skills) from the community
• *These are just examples; you can choose what you would like to do during the match, according to your interests, skills, availability, etc.
Skills Required
We're looking for volunteers who are:
• Arabic-speaking (all levels and dialects welcome!)
• passionate about helping newcomers and making social connections
• organized
• sociable
• culturally sensitive
• patient
• open to using virtual communication tools (e.g., WhatsApp, Zoom, etc.)
Skills Gained/Related Careers:
As a volunteer, you will develop these skills (among others):
• Cross-cultural communication
• Relationship building
• Advocacy & service navigation
• Trauma-informed care
• Cultural sensitivity
• Teamwork & coordination
• Leadership & initiative
• Problem-solving & adaptability
• Interpretation & communication support
While you support a family, you will also gain experience in:
• Practicing conversational English skills
• Accessing and navigating community services
• Finding and applying to employment opportunities
• Helping youth with school and extracurricular activities
• Socializing and helping newcomers learn about Canada
Training
• Together Project provides volunteers with trauma-informed care training before they start the program.
• We will also support you during your participation. Our Program Lead will guide you every step of the way and provide information, resources, and suggestions for approaching different scenarios.
• We also share information about training opportunities provided by other non-profit partner organizations.
Age: 18-30, 31-54, 55+ Time Commitment:
Daytime
,
Evening
,
Weekend
,
Micro Volunteering
X
Micro Volunteering - any self contained volunteer opportunity that can be completed in a short amount of time, often through a web-enabled device.
,
Remote Volunteering
,
Flexible Hours
We encourage volunteers to engage with their assigned families weekly (even for just a few minutes), and overall:
• Average of 4-6 hours per month (flexible, depending on your availability)
• Between 3-6 months
• In-person or remote - you decide the format that works best for you and your lifestyle. (in-person visits or outings, video calls, phone calls, or messaging)
• Your individual time commitment is flexible, as responsibility is shared among group members, and Welcome Group members can divide activities according to their availability, interests, and expertise.
Location of volunteer opportunity: Winnipeg 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 candidates that: Group - small, family and friends
Group - large, corporate and schools
French speaking / Bilingual (French and English)
Speaks another language (other than French or English): Arabic
Organization will provide: A letter of reference
Supervision
Training/Orientation
Professional/personal references for job interviews and college/university applications
How To Apply
• Online Application Form Below
• Email: alejandra@togetherproject.ca (Include Opportunity ID)
• Online: www.bttr.im/a772o
Closing Date: Dec 31, 2026
