Urgent Call for Churches and Christians: Submit Welcome Corps Applications in August to Welcome Refugees

Are you or your church interested in sponsoring refugees but need financial assistance? Now is the perfect time to act.

The administration invited a group of faith leaders, including Elket Rodriguez (CBF Global Migration Advocate) and Jennifer Hawks (CBF Director of Advocacy) to a meeting in the Indian Treaty Room of the White House. On August 1, they gathered to mobilize the faith-based community to boost participation in the Welcome Corps in the coming months.

An Unprecedented Opportunity

A private donor fund has been established to cover 100% of the costs of the program for groups that submit Welcome Corps applications by August 31. This fund allows any group of five or more individuals, including churches, to sponsor refugee families into the United States without the financial burden typically associated with efforts to resettle refugees.

Why Act Now?

There are over 115,000 vetted refugees awaiting resettlement in the United States. The goal is to resettle 125,000 refugees this fiscal year, and your participation is crucial to achieving this. By stepping up now, you can play a vital role in providing these individuals and families with a safe and welcoming new home.

What is Welcome Corps?

The Welcome Corps is a refugee sponsorship initiative under the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). Launched in January 2023, it allows Americans, in groups of at least five adults, to support newly arrived refugees by securing and preparing initial housing, greeting them at the airport, enrolling children in school, helping adults find employment, and meeting other needs to ensure they are prepared for life in the United States.

Requirements for Sponsors

Private sponsor groups must consist of at least five U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents who are at least 18 years old and live in the same community. Sponsors must commit to providing core resettlement services for 90 days, which include locating and preparing affordable housing, enrolling children in school, finding jobs, and helping refugees integrate into their new community. Each group must submit an application through WelcomeCorps.org, complete training, pass background checks, and raise funds to support refugees for their first 90 days in the United States.

Who Will You Be Matched With?

Sponsors may be matched with refugees of any nationality from all regions of the world. While sponsors are encouraged to be open-minded, they can state preferences for specific languages, nationalities, or household types in their applications.

Take Action Now

This is a call to action for all churches and Christians to step up and make a difference. By submitting Welcome Corps applications in August, you can take advantage of the private donor fund and help resettle refugees at no cost. Together, we can achieve the goal of resettling 115,000 refugees this fiscal year and provide them with a new beginning in the United States.

If interested, you can learn more by clicking here, or email Elket (erodriguez@cbf.net) and Jennifer (jhawks@cbf.net).