The Together Project brings newcomers and volunteers together to build resilient communities in Toronto

Together Project, a charitable initiative on the MakeWay Shared Platform, provides critical support to refugees in Canada, by connecting refugee newcomers with “Welcome Groups” of Canadian volunteers to build stronger, more integrated communities. Based in Toronto, Together Project works to increase social connections and support community-building. The Project helps newcomers develop relationships with people within and from outside their own communities and facilitates access to social services and opportunities for engagement.

Together Project makes change in three interconnected ways:

  1. Building newcomer social connections
  2. Supporting newcomer integration priorities
  3. Amplifying community involvement in newcomer integration

Since its inception, Together Project has partnered with five settlement agencies and made more than 175 matches between 650 newcomers and 700 volunteers. 90% of volunteers report having learned more about refugee integration, and 80% of refugee newcomers report that their Welcome Group has helped them feel more connected to their communities, and resilient through their settlement journey in Canada. Pivoting to continue programming through the Covid-19 pandemic, Together Project was able to design a model of “remote social support.”

A boy holds up herbs for a man to smell

Samuel Kimuli fled Uganda two years ago, survived the Toronto shelter system and Covid-19, and has found hope and support from Together Project. “When you have no family here and you meet people who are able to help you, it feels like a family. It feels great,” said Sam in an interview with CBC Toronto’s Metro Morning.

Government-Assisted Refugees and refugee claimants face significant barriers with regard to language learning and access to education, healthcare and employment. They often arrive in Canada with low social capital and few opportunities to expand their social networks. Welcome Group volunteers can help increase newcomers’ social connections and support them in making progress towards their unique integration priorities. Together Project volunteers are connected with the newcomers’ settlement caseworker so that all three (newcomer, volunteer, caseworker) may strategize and work through challenges together.

“Time is valuable, and I appreciate that the volunteers are taking their time to help out my family. It gives me hope and faith in people,” said newcomer Maria, on Together Project’s podcast. The team launched their podcast last year in the midst of the pandemic to share volunteer and newcomer stories across the airwaves. The series offers up lessons learned about career navigation, systems support, and resilience in the face of great change.

a graphic says thank you from the together project

If you have any questions about Together Project, or see opportunities to work together, reach out to their Project Specialist, Sharita Henry. MakeWay’s shared platform provides operational support, governance, and charitable expertise for changemakers. The shared platform enables more time and money to go towards achieving greater impact. MakeWay is a national charity that builds partnerships and solutions to help nature and communities thrive together.