Refugee sponsors assist newly arrived refugees with basic necessities during their first few months in the U.S. In addition to helping refugees with their basic needs, sponsors guide refugees on a path towards self-sufficiency.
Beginning in February 2010 Refugee Services has begun welcoming refugees who have no family or friends in Minnesota. (Previously, all cases involved family reunion.) These are cases where congregations can make a significant difference in a new refugee’s adjustment to life in the U.S. By offering support to refugees, congregations live out God’s call to welcome the stranger, and may help transform a refugee’s new country into a new home.
Want to see more? Free copies of this 15 minute video are available by contacting Kristin at Kristin.Zoellner@mnchurches.org. DVDs are available for pick-up at the Minnesota Church Center only, please.
What are the responsibilities of a sponsoring congregation?
Congregations work with the sponsoring relative and Refugee Services staff to provide new refugees with their basic necessities. This work might involve:
Welcoming new refugees at the airport
Providing transportation to initial appointments
Gathering together essential furnishings and household items
Assisting with school or ESL registration
Helping new refugees apply for Social Security cards and public assistance
Assisting with an employment search
Helping refugees learn their way around their new home
The most important responsibility of a sponsoring congregation is to help new arrivals move towards self-sufficiency.
Who is involved in family co-sponsorship?
Congregational sponsorship utilizes the unique gifts, talents and resources of an entire faith community, yet is most effective if steered by the efforts of a committed and passionate group within the congregation. A sponsorship committee is led by a coordinator, and organized into several committees that focus on housing, furnishings, school, employment, transportation, finances and hospitality. The core sponsorship team can range from 6-15 people. Congregations are asked to make a sponsorship commitment for a 6-month period.
How are congregations supported in this work?
Congregations interested in refugee sponsorship begin by meeting with a Refugee Services staff member. Through a series of 3 or more meetings, Refugee Services will help the congregation organize a sponsorship team, provide information about the needs and culture of the refugee family, and inform the team of the family’s arrival. Refugee Services matches a congregation with a refugee family overseas after assessing the team’s needs and capabilities. The sponsor family and Refugee Services case manager will be present at the last meeting with the sponsorship team before the family’s arrival.
Once the refugees arrive, the sponsorship team works closely with a Refugee Services caseworker, who serves as a resource and guide through the resettlement process.
