Several community organizations have come together to support individuals and families who have come to Huron County from Ukraine or other countries.
The Goderich Lions Club, along with the Huron County Immigration Partnership, the Goderich Ministerial Association and the Wingham Connection Group have joined forces to launch the Huron Area Newcomer Fund.
Amanda Bisson, the Minister at the Knox Presbyterian Church said the fund was originally formed to help people arriving from Ukraine, but they have since expanded efforts to include all newcomers to Huron County, within the first eighteen months of arriving in Canada.
“The idea is that we are kind of a fund that meets that middle ground between other social clubs and government,” said Bisson.
The fund will help look after things such as eye glasses, optometry expenses and dental care. Bisson their goal is to help people so they are not left without the supports that they need. The committee can award up to $1,500 towards one family for the 18-month period for up to three applications, with a majority vote from the committee.
“There’s gaps in the system and we’re there to help fill those gaps so that people aren’t left without the supports that they need,” Bisson said.
Additional grants may be awarded to some families if they are determined to be in need of it, and if the requested funds are available. The number of grants the fund doles out will be dependent on the amount of money at hand. Charitable donations made to the Goderich Lions Club for the Newcomer Fund will be used to support eligible immigrants and refugees.
So far, the group has reached out to around 50 people from Ukraine who have settled in Huron County. Bisson said there are others they have not been able to contact yet, and they have set up online resources to help reach additional individuals.
Bisson said any Ukrainian refugees or immigrants they have not spoken to yet, and those willing to lend some support can go to the Goderich Lions website for more information.
