Goal of Position

To provide friendship and social support to new Canadians arriving in London.

Qualifications

• Good interpersonal skills and a strong desire to assist others in becoming self-reliant.
• Previous multicultural experience is an asset, as are additional languages.
• An interest in other cultures, and a strong commitment to inclusively and non-racist beliefs a must.

Expectations

• A minimum six-month commitment involving approximately two to three hours every two weeks spent with the newcomer family.
• As well, completion of Volunteer Application Form, a signed confidentiality agreement, and a short interview are required.
• Once your match is in process regular feedback to Host staff regarding the progress of your newcomer family is to be made either by letter, phone or e-mail.

What does an average Host/Newcomer match involve?

• An initial meeting of Host and Newcomer families facilitated by Host staff;
• Both Host and Newcomer are contacted separately after this meeting to confirm that they wish to continue with the match;
• Once the match is made, participants talk on the phone and meet approximately two or three times per month;
• In the early stages of the relationship the Host is relied upon to provide information regarding everyday experiences such as supermarkets, schools, libraries, recreational activities, cultural differences, etc;
• Later on the focus may be more on improving English skills, job hunting strategies and the increase of navigating the Canadian social structure.

In addition to time spent in your own activities, there are also events and activities organized by the Host Program, which offer a chance for all of our volunteers and newcomers to meet each other. These are generally designed with family participation in mind. Since most newcomers arrive in family groups it is helpful for both children and adults to have people their own age with whom to connect. Because of this we encourage family participation from as many Host family members as are interested.

Why become a Host Family?

As well as helping relieve isolation and loneliness, you will also be assisting with community integration and networking and your presence will go a long way to helping soften the effects of racism and intolerance that are inevitable in newcomer's lives. Once trust has been established the newcomer family will rely on you to provide then with information about their new home, as well as friendly support while they adjust to the upheaval that accompanies immigration. The Host relationship also gives them a chance to share their own culture, practice English and so on.

Becoming a Host family gives you an opportunity for cultural exchange, while facilitating an understanding of multiculturalism and global relief issues. It is an opportunity for you to take an active part in promoting tolerance and non-racist' beliefs, while presenting the best of Canada has to offer. It will also give you a chance to learn more about what it means to be Canadian by experiencing our culture through the eyes of someone whose cultural framework is entirely different from your own. It is intended as a unique and enriching experience that will hopefully evolve into a lasting friendship.