Community Sponsorship is a local solution to the global refugee crisis. It relies on harnessing the power of grassroots communities to resettle, assist and advocate for refugees.
Community Sponsorship is a public/private partnership between Resettlement Agencies and local faith and civic groups that effectively extends support for resettling refugees and increases their chances of successful integration and independence within their placed communities.
The Community Sponsorship Model improves on the long-term humanitarian tradition of welcoming in this country. It addresses gaps in our 40-year-old resettlement program. Under the existing U.S. Resettlement Program, refugees receive 90 days of government support which is managed through the Resettlement Agencies. After the first three months, refugees are left with little support, and often limited opportunities for community integration.
However, when neighbors come together as trained Community Sponsors to build scaffolding around resettling families, refugees are more likely to thrive in dignity and safety, integrate into the community, and find success as new Americans.