Choose
Newcomers and volunteers start from separate forms so each application goes to the right review list.
Helping newcomers feel supported
Friendly people for everyday newcomer questions.
Connect matches newcomers with reviewed volunteers for warm, practical support. Ask everyday questions, find local confidence, and move through your first steps with a real person beside you.
Connect matches newcomers with friendly volunteers for everyday support, community connection, and practical local guidance.
Applications
Start with the right form.
Pick one path. The longer application only opens after you choose the form that fits you.
Newcomer form
Find a volunteer who fits your first steps.
Tell us what kind of friendly support would help most. MapleLanding will review your application and look for a good fit.
Volunteer formHelp a newcomer feel less alone.
Volunteer to share friendly support based on your lived experience, language, city, schedule, and topics you are comfortable helping with.
How it works
Simple applications, thoughtful manual matching.
MapleLanding reviews each application before making an introduction. Matches are based on practical fit, shared language or location when possible, safety expectations, availability, and the kind of friendly support someone is looking for.
Review
Applications are reviewed manually. MapleLanding checks location, languages, availability, support topics, and safety boundaries before matching.
Introduce
When there is a practical and respectful fit, MapleLanding sends an introduction and suggested first conversation starters.
Match examples
What a Connect match might look like.
Connect is for human, everyday support, especially when a newcomer wants someone friendly to point them in a clearer direction.
Finding local services
A newcomer who wants help understanding local libraries, library cards, programs, computers, or quiet study spaces.
Conversation practice
Someone practicing English conversation with a volunteer who can be patient, friendly, and clear.
School and community
A family looking for general school/community navigation, such as where to ask questions or find public programs.
Language or location fit
A volunteer who speaks the same language or lives nearby and can explain everyday local routines.
Fit
Who Connect is for, and who it is not for.
Clear expectations help Connect stay useful, respectful, and safe.
Who Connect is for
- Newcomers who want friendly, everyday guidance.
- Volunteers who want to help respectfully.
- People looking for community connection, not professional advice.
Who Connect is not for
- Legal advice.
- Immigration case help.
- Medical advice.
- Financial advice.
- Emergency support.
- Job guarantees or housing guarantees.
Safety Centre
Friendly support needs clear boundaries.
Connect is free, respectful, and focused on everyday support. It is not legal, immigration, medical, financial, or professional advice, and it is not for emergencies.
Connect is not for emergencies.
If someone is in immediate danger or needs urgent help, use local emergency services or trusted crisis support instead of Connect.
Keep private details private.
Do not share passwords, banking details, immigration documents, private ID numbers, medical records, or money-transfer information.
Meet publicly if meeting in person.
Choose public places such as libraries, community centres, cafes, or other open spaces. Do not feel pressured to meet privately.
You can stop contact anytime.
Participants can pause, end, or report contact. MapleLanding can review concerns and close a match if something feels unsafe or disrespectful.
Matches only happen when there is a practical and respectful fit. Nobody should ask for money, private documents, passwords, or professional decisions.
FAQ
Questions people will ask first.
Is Connect free?
Yes. Connect is a free MapleLanding community support feature.
How long does matching take?
It depends on volunteer availability, language, location, schedule, and support needs. Applications are reviewed manually, so matching may take time.
Can I choose who I'm matched with?
You can share preferences in the form. MapleLanding reviews fit manually, but a specific match is not guaranteed.
What happens if I feel uncomfortable?
You can stop contact anytime. You can also report a concern so MapleLanding can review the match.
Do volunteers need experience?
Formal experience is helpful but not required. Volunteers should be respectful, clear about boundaries, and honest about what they can and cannot help with.
Can I volunteer remotely?
Yes. Volunteers can choose remote support, in-area support, or both in the volunteer form.
What if there is no match yet?
If no suitable volunteer is available, MapleLanding can keep the newcomer application on a waitlist while looking for a good fit.
Is this professional advice?
No. Connect is friendly community support. For legal, immigration, medical, or financial questions, use qualified professionals or trusted public services.
Start here
Open the form that fits you.
Newcomers can ask for friendly support. Volunteers can offer it respectfully based on their own experience, language, city, and availability.