March 2025
A volunteer association created to help support newcomers to Huron County is marking its second full year in operation with a new name, a new website and a fresh call for volunteers.
The Huron Welcome Hub for Newcomers, formerly the Huron Newcomer Support Association, is hosting a meeting on March 24 in Goderich to elect a new executive. It is inviting new volunteers who want to help build on the organization’s successes and ensure Huron County is a welcoming place.
The Hub’s mandate is to provide support to all who are immigrating to Huron County without other support. One major activity is organizing rides for newcomers who don’t have transportation. This is essential for a county with limited public transit. Records show that Hub members provided more than 70 trips and racked up more than 10,000 kilometres driving people to and from the Toronto airport, medical appointments and job sites and social events. Many more trips are occurring unofficially.
It also supports conversation circles, currently held at the Goderich and Exeter libraries, that are open to all newcomers as a forum to practise English. During each of these weekly sessions English-speaking volunteers lead conversations with newcomers on such topics as sports, community events and food and entertainment. The informal setting helps newcomers feel comfortable using English for everyday encounters. Over the past year, more than 50 newcomers practised English and developed new friendships.
The Hub’s Facebook page has 101 members with a median age range of 35 to 44. Posts average one a day and attract more than 500 views monthly. They include information on services to help immigrants settle in Huron County, multicultural events, local opportunities to socialize and improve English, job fairs and news about the Hub. A website, huronwelcome.ca, has just been created and will be a resource on services and activities as well.
The volunteer group has helped newcomers in a variety of ways.
Tanya Masanovets, a teacher from Ukraine, says that in 2022 several Ukrainian newcomers wanted their children to stay in touch with other Ukrainian children, language and culture. Some of the children and Masanovets live in Exeter and other children live in Goderich, where the library had offered them a room for classes every Saturday.
“The only problem was transportation,” said Masanovets. “But volunteers from the newcomers association solved the problem in no time. Drivers were found and a schedule was written a month ahead to make sure that Ukrainian classes were running.”
“I’m beyond thankful for their time, dedication and flexibility,” says Masanovets. This makes us so welcomed in the community. We feel loved and cared for!”
Classes are heading into their second year.
Volunteers with the group say helping newcomers settle into the county brings many rewards.
Hub president Halina Zaleski and her husband Chris have hosted four newcomer families, all from Ukraine, in the past few years.
“Having new daughters and grandchildren in our home fills it with fun and joy, especially since our own families are several hours away,” says Zaleski. “Now we can enjoy homemade dumplings and sauerkraut and many other treats, and I have someone to run with to work off all those treats.
“Our fridge is once again decorated with children’s art and our driveway is decorated with two snow cats. And we have even learned a few words of Ukrainian. Goodbye to same old, same old, and hello to feeling warmly engaged.”
The roots of the Hub can be traced to 2022, when Ukrainian families started arriving in Canada under a special visa to escape the invasion of their country by Russia. The focus has grown to encompass all newcomers, with a goal of connecting them to the resources that can help them settle in.
A total of 275 immigrants with permanent resident status moved to Huron County from 2016-2021. Another 1,550 people on temporary work and study permits arrived in 2022-2023. These newcomers are important to the future of Canada and Huron County, but they can face multiple challenges, especially in a rural area with limited transportation and housing options. Volunteers have been key in helping families get settled in homes, find jobs, learn English, enroll children in school, and generally make them feel welcome.
At the meeting on Monday, March 24 at 7 p.m. at the Mackay Centre in Goderich, the Hub will provide an update of 2024 accomplishments, solicit feedback on what can be done to make a difference for newcomers in 2025 and elect new members to its steering group. All newcomers, existing and potential volunteers and interested Huron County residents are welcome.
Huron Welcome Hub for Newcomers 
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