Haven offers you different options for requesting help. The more specific you can make your request, the more likely it is that Canadians will help.
Bad example: “Hello! I am looking for a job, thank you for any advice”
Good example: “I am looking for a job in the Toronto area. In Ukraine, I worked as a restaurant manager. I would like to find a similar job in a restaurant, although my English needs improvement. Any other job recommendations are welcome!”
You can add up to five requests on Haven at a time; we recommend starting with posting one to two requests. Think about what are your most important needs, and make these your first requests on Haven.
Keep your requests short - maximum two to three sentences
When posting your requests, make sure you use either English or French. If you are not comfortable in either language, use Google Translate - it won’t give you a perfect translation, but Translate is usually good enough. Haven is developing auto-translation on the platform.
Our moderators on Haven will contact you if the language in your request needs to be updated!
Sponsors can help a refugee with many different resettlement tasks. Supporters are usually focused on specific tasks. Most Canadians are very busy with their jobs, families, and other responsibilities.
Remember that all supporters on Haven are volunteers and are helping out of their generosity. If you were matched with a Canadian for one task, do not expect them to be able or willing to help with other tasks.
Your needs might change over time. If you made a request for help, and you received help outside of Haven, please withdraw / delete this request. Otherwise, Haven users will be messaging you and can get frustrated that the information on the platform is not accurate.
We’re never more than an email away – reach out to us at **[email protected]** if you have any questions, feedback or concerns