Refugee Resettlement: Organize a Co-Sponsorship Group!

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Dear Friends,

Get involved with refugee resettlement by organizing a Co-Sponsorship Group! 

Inspiritus welcomes hundreds of refugees into Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama each year, but we cannot do this great work alone. Resettlement agencies rely on the support of the community to effectively welcome and set individuals on a path from surviving to thriving.

Inspiritus RIS volunteers from the Zen Garland Order prepare to welcome a newly arrived Afghan family at the Savannah airport.

Co-Sponsorship is a special relationship between a local resettlement agency, a community group, and a refugee family. This type of volunteer commitment is incredibly important to the work of welcome. Co-sponsors bring an essential level of commitment, continuity, and care for the refugees they serve and significantly multiply and extend the services refugees receive.

Although co-sponsorship is a serious commitment, it is also a meaningful way to engage with refugees. The main goal of co-sponsorship is to help refugees adjust to life in the United States and achieve self-sufficiency by being a support system, community guide, and friend during their first 6 months in the U.S. (and hopefully beyond).

What Help Do Co-Sponsors Provide?

Groups must provide at least 8 of the core services listed below. Support will be provided by Inspiritus staff for completing these services.

Pre-Arrival:

  • Housing

  • Home Set-Up

  • Furnishings and Supplies *Furnishings and supplies check lists provided

  • Seasonal Clothing

  • Stock the Pantry *Culturally appropriate grocery guide provided

  • Welcome Meal: *Culturally appropriate food list provided

Post Arrival *All post arrival services will be provided with appropriate interpretation, if needed:

  • Airport Pick Up *Airport pick up guide provided

  • 24-Hour Home Visit

  • Housing and Personal Safety Orientation

  • Public Assistance Enrollment (Cash Assistance, Medicaid, SNAP)

  • Social Security Card Application

  • File for AR-11

  • Employment Program Enrollment Follow Up

  • ESL Enrollment

  • Selective Service Registration

  • School Enrollment

  • Other Public Assistance Application as Applicable (SSI, WIC etc.)

  • Second Home Visit

  • Cultural Orientation *Topics and guide provided (coresourceexchange.org)

  • Cultural Orientation Assessment *CO Assessment form and guidelines provided

  • Transportation to Job Interviews and Job Training

Additional Services the Co-sponsorship Group May Wish to Provide:

  • Rental Assistance

  • Community Guide

  • Grocery Store Orientation

  • General Health Orientation

  • Financial Education

  • Help the family set up a bank account

  • English Language Tutoring

  • Job Development

  • Public Transportation Orientation

  • Continued Transportation Assistance

Requirements:

  • Must sign a commitment form with Inspiritus

  • Must commit to serve for 6 months

  • Must commit to a financial contribution to be used by Inspiritus to help refugees

  • All team members must attend a co-sponsorship training

  • All team members must complete a background check

  • Must provide at least 8 core services

Interested in co-sponsoring a refugee family or have questions? Contact Community Engagement Manager, Sarah Burke, at sarah.burke@weinspirit.org.

With gratitude,
Sarah Burke
Community Engagement Manager
Inspiritus