About Us

Who We Are

HBB is made up of a group of passionate, like-minded and like-hearted volunteers that work to support newcomers, refugees and youth inside and outside of Canada. Although many of our volunteers come from different backgrounds, we come together sharing a common purpose. HBB was initially founded to help Hazara refugees stuck in Indonesia, but has since branched to connecting with newcomers facing a variety of challenges. We at HBB aim to use our lived experience and our parallel processes as a means in improving our capacity to work alongside newcomers.

Our Leaders

David Barnes

David Barnes brings over 30 years of leadership, strategic insight, and management consulting experience within the non-profit and public sectors. He began his career in child welfare and worked within the Children’s Aid Society (CAS) system until 1998. Since then, he has consulted for various government ministries in Ontario and the Yukon, as well as the federal government, educational institutions, community mental health organizations, child welfare and mental health agencies, and other non-profit groups. As a facilitator, David has led numerous large- and small-scale community engagement initiatives, bringing together diverse perspectives to explore complex issues and build unified approaches. He has facilitated focus groups and visioning sessions across both Southern and Northern Ontario, helping stakeholders align around strategic plans and shared goals.

With 25 years of experience in the social services sector as a social worker, David’s commitment to supporting vulnerable populations, particularly newcomers and refugees, has remained strong. This dedication led him to launch Re:think in 2021—an initiative focused on serving marginalized communities based on humanitarian grounds. Most recently, David founded and continues to lead the Humanity Beyond Borders (HBB) project. This initiative connects refugee claimants with Canadians interested in sponsoring or supporting them on their path to immigration, with both pre-arrival and post-arrival support. Through HBB, David has learned the importance of fostering community between refugees and Canadians, as it takes more than just a flight for newcomers to feel at home in Canada.

Mian Samair

Mian is a dynamic and proactive leader and Newcomer advocate with over 20 years of global experience in different sectors that include Non-Profit management, Immigration, Settlement, Media and Consultancy. Extensive experience in service delivery projects that include planning & and execution, budgeting, data analysis, report writing, monitoring, and evaluation. Community mobilization through FGDs, case studies, counselling and advocacy campaigns.

As a newcomer advocate, Mian aims to improve people’s lives by elevating their voices and helping them effectively integrate into Canadian society. Mian is also actively involved in community engagement programs, and he is currently involved with the East Toronto community as an advisor for ETHP (East Toronto Health Partners). Mian has previously hosted more than 20 TV shows on immigration and settlement on Voice of Toronto Television.

Recently, Mian was engaged as a Consultant Implementing an employer recruitment strategy by reaching out to potential employers, hosting information sessions, supporting employers to understand the benefits of the program, working with the team to identify potential matches between internationally trained professionals (ITPS) who are Newcomers, and Racialized Women with Ontario employers.

Mian holds a bachelor’s degree in Business and a Master’s degree in Sociology, a PGD in Canadian Immigration and Refugee law, and a specialization in Digital Marketing Management from the University of Toronto. Also, he is a member in good standing with the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants.

Our Goal

Our goal is to create a platform to build human connections and create a bridge between Canadians and Refugees in Indonesia.

The need for building Caring Communities arose when we received dozens of requests and messages from Hazara refugees that are stranded in Indonesia and are struggling with the unknowns of their lives while being deprived of their basic human rights.

Canadians and Refugees Building Bridges Together (HBB) aims to foster Communities of Care across Canada by connecting Canadians with both newcomers and refugees already in the country and those preparing to arrive. The initiative focuses on raising awareness about the challenges migrants face during the immigration process and after settling in Canada. By deepening understanding in these areas, HBB empowers Canadians to actively engage in building meaningful relationships with newcomers and support them as they make Canada their home.

Focuses

Cultural Adjustment: Help newcomers/refugees pre/post arrival in Canada learn about Canadian culture to ease the burden of culture shock.
Trauma and Mental Health: Provide personalized trained support to newcomers coming from unstable regions around the world.
Employment and Educational Opportunities: Work with newcomers to provide personalized help in finding employment and educational opportunities.
Community Integration: Facilitate networking between newcomers and Canadians to build a sense of community and belonging.

Our Plan

HBB is committed to supporting refugees and newcomers throughout their journey to resettlement in Canada. Our goals are centered around compassion, cultural understanding, long-term support, and building strong social bridges between newcomers and Canadian communities.

Comprehensive Pre and Post-Landing Services

We aim to provide consistent and compassionate support to refugees both before and after their arrival in Canada. By addressing the often stark contrast between expectation and reality, we help ease the transition and ensure newcomers feel informed and supported at every step.

Long-Term Settlement Support

Unlike many organizations, HBB maintains strong, ongoing relationships with the individuals and families we assist. We do not leave people alone once they land. Instead, we walk alongside them for years—offering guidance, reassurance, and a sense of belonging.

Cultural Integration and Emotional Safety

We recognize that the cultural aspect of resettlement is just as important as the logistical one. Many refugees arrive with emotional scars, and fear can prevent them from opening up. We create safe spaces for them to share their stories and feel heard, promoting healing and trust.

Navigation and Empowerment

Our team helps newcomers navigate complex systems—healthcare, housing, employment, education—while guiding them on a path toward independence and self-sufficiency. We empower refugees to become active members of Canadian society.

Private Sponsorship and Community Involvement

We actively support the Private Sponsorship Program and believe in the power of community-led resettlement. Through weekly meetings and personalized support, sponsors and newcomers form meaningful, lasting relationships.

Storytelling and Awareness

We are committed to changing the narrative around refugees by elevating their voices. Through storytelling, we build empathy, reduce stigma, and highlight the resilience and contributions of refugees.

HBB organizes community events like picnics and cultural celebrations to foster connections between newcomers, sponsors, and Canadians. These moments of joy build bridges across cultures and remind everyone that resettlement is not only a journey but a shared celebration.

Advocacy and Funding

To expand our services and reach more people in need, we seek increased funding and public support. Refugees face unique challenges that differ significantly from those of immigrants, and our programs must be adequately resourced to meet their specific needs.

Through these goals, HBB continues to create a Canada where refugees are welcomed with dignity, supported with care, and celebrated for the strength they bring to our shared communities.

What We’ve Done

Northern Lights Canada is a registered non-profit and volunteer-led organization dedicated to supporting displaced individuals as they rebuild their lives in Canada. The organization provides essential resources, guidance, and connections to help newcomers access opportunities to live, work, and study.

Northern Lights will act both as a referral partner for refugee and newcomer youth and as a collaborator in building the capacity of settlement and resettlement agencies through training and support.

The community served by Northern Lights will play an active role in shaping the program. Several newcomers have expressed interest in participating in the program’s evaluation and oversight through involvement in the Advisory Board and ongoing monitoring efforts.

Humans in Flight, founded by Shams Irfan, is a storytelling initiative that showcases the talent, resilience, and resourcefulness of former refugees now living in Canada. Through powerful narratives, the project fosters advocacy and promotes engagement in private sponsorship and community-based support.

As a confirmed collaborator, Humans in Flight will play a central role in advocacy and capacity-building efforts focused on refugee youth. Led by newcomers and shaped by lived experience, the initiative brings a unique and authentic perspective to the project. Shams Irfan, a core team member, will be actively involved, contributing leadership and insight to ensure meaningful youth engagement and impact.

Get Involved

Visit our registration page to learn more about registering as a refugee or sponsor.

Registration