What is Co-Sponsorship?
Co-sponsorship is a model of resettlement where a community group partners with a local resettlement agency to provide specific services and financial support to a newly arrived 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. Co-sponsors are overseen by one of our local resettlement agencies who provide each co-sponsor team with in-depth training prior to working with a family and continued support throughout their service period.
Co-Sponsorship Requirements
- Form a team and select a team leader
- Commit to a designated time of service
- Raise and donate financial assistance
- Sign a commitment form and follow guidelines from your local resettlement agency
- Receive a background check
If you and your community is committed to serving refugees through co-sponsorship, register below!
Services Co-Sponsors Provide
Each one of the local refugee resettlement agencies in the LIRS network are required by our government partners to provide specific services called core services to each refugee they resettle. Co-sponsors help to provide certain core services in addition to other support services that aid in refugees’ integration into their new communities. Local offices determine which core and support services they want co-sponsors to provide and have them outlined in their commitment form that co-sponsors sign.
Examples of Core Services Co-Sponsors May Provide:
- Home set-up
- Pantry stocking
- Welcome meal
- Airport pick-up
- Transportation
Examples of Extra Support Services Co-Sponsors May Provide:
- Community Guide
- Grocery store orientation
- English Language tutoring
- Job development
- Public transportation orientation
Is your congregation interested in the work of welcome?
Let your faith community discern if co-sponsorship is the right journey for them through: EMMAUS: a congregational discernment guide.
A Refugee Family's Journey
Still Have Questions About Co-Sponsorship?
Check out our Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQs) below!
Each of our affiliate offices are following the recommended federal and state requirements for COVID safety. Our top priority is making sure our Afghans and our volunteers are safe and healthy. Additionally, our new neighbors are being vaccinated at military bases as they arrive.
LIRS is working closely with our partners to make sure that all volunteers and potential co-sponsors are connected to their nearest resettlement site. To help us maintain this process, we ask that you fill out our co-sponsorship form LINK.
Written agreements vary by local resettlement site, however, it generally outlines the expectations of what activities volunteers will be doing to support the family versus what the resettlement agency is responsible for and the time commitment expected.
The money that co-sponsors raise is supplemental to the funds given by the U.S. Government. Finances are handled collaboratively between the co-sponsorship group, the local resettlement agency, and the family with the goal of meeting their most pressing needs. Often this does include rent, healthcare, transportation, and school supplies.