Create a home in your community to welcome a refugee family

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Meet WelcomeNST

WelcomeNST is a non-profit organization focused on private refugee resettlement. ​We harness the power of community to create Neighborhood Support Teams or NSTs that offer refuge to refugee families from around the globe. ​

The U.S. Department of State cited private resettlement as 'the boldest innovation in refugee resettlement in four decades.’ It allows us to welcome and assist refugees by collaborating as a community team (not a public program) to offer refuge in our neighborhoods.​ We’re proud to be the leader, engaging more private groups than any organization in the country.

We start by recruiting leaders in the community - people who deeply care about the plight of refugees worldwide and are motivated to take action and help. Our leaders are the movers and shakers, the problem solvers and cheerleaders. They are the doers who know how to plow through unknowns to get things done! ​

What NST leaders do

Neighborhood Support Team leaders are the 'hub’ at the center of the wheel collaborating and managing the 'spokes’ or tasks that must be completed for the refugee family to thrive in the U.S.​

NST leaders engage their community and lead a team to prepare a new life for a refugee family, including:​

• Raising funds to cover expenses for a 90-day period*​
• Finding safe, affordable housing in your community​
• Securing transportation, jobs, benefits, etc.​
• Lining up any necessary job training, language classes, etc.​
• Enrolling the kids in schools and local activities​
• Stocking the house with furniture, food, clothing, and other necessities​
• Welcoming the family at the airport, introducing them to your community and walking by their side until they are self-sufficient, usually a 90-day period​

*Thanks to the generous support of private donors, a Sponsor Fund has been established to help support new Neighborhood Support Teams. ​ For a limited time, the Sponsor Fund will cover 60% of the initial financial requirement needed to apply for sponsoring a refugee family. This means that newly formed NSTs will receive $1,455 per refugee welcomed. This funding gives you a huge head start in welcoming a new family to your community and can help with things like securing housing and basic necessities like furniture, household goods, groceries, clothing and more.​ The Sponsor Fund is available for a limited time, so click I WANT TO HELP now!

How WelcomeNST will support you

WelcomeNST assigns a mentor to guide NST leaders through the process to:​

• Be their go-to person as the leader prepares to welcome a refugee family​
• Provide training, resources and info a team needs to welcome a family to their community​
• Connect teams to other teams who have done this important work before to brainstorm, collaborate and learn​ ​

What is the Time Commitment?

This typically requires a 6-12 month time commitment, with an average of 10-20 hours per week. Weekly hours may decrease over time depending on the level of team support and the evolving needs of the family. As the family's main point of contact, you will be a source of guidance, companionship, and encouragement. The work you do will change not only the life of the refugee family but will have a profound impact on your own life and everyone involved in the community effort. This is a unique opportunity to create lasting bonds, break down cultural barriers, and bring hope and stability to those in need.

Click "I want to help" or visit welcomenst.org to get started.