Refugee Resettlement: Organize a Co-Sponsorship Group!
/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.
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