The New Neighbours program is funded by the City of Edmonton to help newcomers overcome the stress and frustration of moving to a new city in Canada. The program helps newcomers adapt to life in Edmonton by matching them with community volunteers for friendship and support, and by providing various other services to help newcomers successfully settle and integrate into Canadian society.

Services include:

• Matching newcomers with volunteers for friendship and support
• Providing personal, social and recreational supports
• Linking newcomers with available, appropriate and acceptable services
• Holding monthly information sessions on topics of interest
• Offering field trips to historic and educational sites in the city and surrounding areas in Alberta
• Helping newcomers access a broad range of social, human, government and health services.
• Promoting community participation and involvement

As a newcomer, you will have a warm welcome, find more information about Canada, and get emotional support and friendship.

Who are Community Volunteers?

Community Volunteers are Canadian friends who lend support, help newcomers navigate the system and orient them to their new community.

Volunteer Benefits:

• Enjoy flexible scheduling
• Build lasting friendships
• Learn about a different country
• Enrich your own life while enriching others
• Discover new cultures and languages

Volunteer Duties:

• Provide support, friendship, and assistance to new immigrants to help ease their adjustment to Canada.
• Spend a minimum of four hours a month for at least three months, sharing information on various topics such as Canadian lifestyle and culture, education and health-care, coping with the winter weather, enjoying summer and its festivals, and available community services and resources. Practice speaking English.
• Communicate with program staff on a regular basis.

Desired Qualifications:

• A desire to help others in need
• Efficiency in English
• A willingness to be a friend, to listen and to share
• Reliability and responsibility
• Knowledge of the Edmonton community
• At least 18 years of age

If you would like to become a community volunteer and make a difference in the lives of newcomers, please contact the volunteer coordinator at 780-474-8445. You can volunteer as an individual, couple, or with your whole family.

For more information, contact program staff at 780-474-8445 or at new-neighbors@eisa-edmonton.org.