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How it works
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Canadians and refugees use the Haven platform to connect directly.
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You choose who you help and how. Helping starts with a 30 minute video call.
Ways to help
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Language
Help refugees build confidence in English or French through conversation practice.
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Network
Help refugees explore the Canadian job market—just by sharing your own experience.
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What our users say
Refugees rebuilding. Canadians reaching out. These are the voices behind the Haven community.
Camila
As a non-native English speaker who struggled to learn the language, I am happy to be able to support refugees in their journey to build a life in Canada. Language is at the core of what makes us human, and making myself available to others to practice has been my chance to give back and to build community.
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Iryna
I now talk with four Canadians on Haven. I’m so grateful to them for the opportunity to talk and for their patience with my English!
Barb
I had no expectations at all [when getting involved with Haven]. I've never really helped people learn English before, and I've never dealt with refugees, so I was totally open. I've been surprised by how easy it is to chat with them — it's truly appreciated.
From Mississauga
From Ukraine
From Toronto
Our supporters
Our work would not be possible without our many supporters.
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What is Haven?Haven is a registered Canadian charity that connects refugees and newcomers fleeing conflict with Canadians who can help. More refugees are arriving in Canada than ever before, and we believe that Canadians—both individuals and companies—want to help. By making it easier to know who needs support and how to offer it, we aim to make Canada the best country in the world at welcoming refugees.
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How does the matching process work?After signing up, you’ll create a profile and share what kind of help you can offer (or what kind of support you need). From there, you can browse profiles and connect with someone who’s a good fit. Once you’ve both agreed to the match, you can start chatting right away!
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How is Haven different from other refugee support programs?We’re all about one-on-one, flexible connections. Haven isn’t a big commitment—think of it as a simple way to make a meaningful impact, even if all you can do is have a 30-minute conversation with someone looking for language practice. By making it easier to help, we hope to get more Canadians involved in helping refugees.
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What do I need to create an account?Just an email address and a few details about yourself. We’ll also verify your identity for safety. You can verify your ID online instantly or schedule a verification video call with a Haven employee.
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Do I need to meet in person, or is this virtual?It’s up to you! Most connections happen virtually, but if you and your match agree, you can meet in person. We recommend meeting in public places like cafes and following basic safety protocol, like when you meet any other stranger.
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