Immigration Partnership seeking volunteers to aid Ukrainian newcomers

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HURON – Huron County has welcomed 66 Ukrainians to the community since the Russian invasion of that country began in 2022, so the county’s Immigration Partnership is seeking new volunteers and hosts to offer support and housing for more.

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In a presentation to Huron County council during the May 17 council meeting, Immigration Partnership manager Mark Nonkes said there was an initial outpouring of support from the community as Ukrainians began to arrive in the region, but circumstances and shifting schedules have made fewer volunteers available as the county prepares to welcome more Ukrainians.

“We asked for volunteers and we were overwhelmed,” said Nonkes. “There wasn’t the volume of people here who needed that much support. … We were just overwhelmed by how generous our community was.”

Nonkes said the Immigration Partnership had 120 volunteers sign up within the first six months of welcoming Ukrainian newcomers. Volunteers have helped with community-led co-ordination, housing and hosting, transportation, language support and event support.

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Those newcomers arrived in Canada under the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel visa, which Nonkes emphasized is different from a refugee application. While refugees receive financial support for a year, those who arrive under this emergency visa receive a one-time grant of $3,000 per adult and $1,500 per child. This visa program can be accessed quickly, while a refugee application can take months.

As of May 13, nearly 155,000 Ukrainians have arrived in Canada under the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel as they seek safety from war with Russia. More than one million applications to the program have been received, with about 720,000 gaining approval from the government.

According to Nonkes, the biggest need to support newcomers is for hosts and housing arrangements where Ukrainian families could stay when they arrive. He said the Immigration Partnership usually suggests a three-month commitment from those who are interested in serving as hosts, and volunteers can aid in providing services such as transportation.

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“There is an ongoing need for additional housing,” he said. “It is very difficult for us to say no when we hear our partners asking if we have space. If we don’t have space, we have to say no. These are people that are already in Canada who are looking for spaces.”

Nonkes pointed to the successes of Ukrainian newcomers, who are quickly finding employment and permanent housing once they arrive in the area. He said there are also Ukrainian newcomers who are offering their own free time as volunteers to lead community events and form networks.

“That’s very heartwarming to see,” he said.

Though the Immigration Partnership faces challenges as it continues to offer aid to Ukrainian newcomers in areas such as retention and transportation, Nonkes pointed to the community’s generosity as a reason to be optimistic about the future.

“I am very confident that the generosity of Huron County citizens will continue to respond in a way that displays our welcoming nature,” said Nonkes.