Zaleski (L) and Yevsieieva (R) shared their experience with council | From Huron County Council on Zoom
At Wednesday morning’s (January 24), Huron County Council meeting, a delegation from the Huron Newcomer Support Association sought the support of council in expanding the program.
Halina Zaleski and Nataliia Yevsieieva presented their gratitude to the council for their ongoing support through the Local Immigration Partnership and articulated the association’s request for a formal statement of support regarding a path to permanent residence for newcomers on temporary visas.
The presentation emphasized the importance of newcomer support in the county’s economic development plan. Halina Zaleski, who arrived in Huron County in 2020, and Nataliia Yevsieieva, a newcomer from Ukraine who arrived in September 2022, highlighted the critical role the community played in their successful integration.
The association, in its early stages, held its first official meeting recently, electing a steering group of nine members. Their primary objective is to connect newcomers with essential services, securing housing, and language translation services.
Zaleski and Yevsieieva underlined the benefits of increasing immigrant numbers in Huron County, addressing workforce gaps, and fostering community growth.
They advocated for county and community support in establishing a path to permanent residency, citing the potential loss of skilled workers in critical sectors if a solution isn’t found.
Written by: B. Shakyaver