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Refugee - Church and
 Co-Sponsors
Becoming a Church Co-Sponsor
PARA works most often with churches when helping to resettle a refugee family in the United States.
In what ways can a church help?
Refugee ministry requires time and money. Both are necessary.
What's involved in the time commitment?
A cosponsoring church may need to give approximately 250 to 300 volunteer hours over a three to four month period. Ideally, at least two people should be available "on call" during daytime hours, especially during the first month. PARA advises gathering a team of 10 to 15 people to share the load.
How do volunteers help?
Volunteers help in three primary ways - as guides, advocates, and friends.
- As guides, volunteers introduce the family to US culture and life in America. They may need to assist in finding a job, in applying for social security cards and health care, and with enrollment in English classes. However, they do not need to it alone. PARA’s staff supports volunteers in these areas.
- As advocates, church partners help to ensure that the refugee family is not exploited or taken advantage of in housing situations, in the workplace, or in their personal lives.
- Most important, church volunteers are friends who offer emotional support and encouragement
What do church volunteers do?
- Here are just a few of the ways that individual volunteers can help out:
- Help find an apartment.
- Donate household items for the apartment.
- Help set up the apartment.
- Provide food or food allowance.
- Donate or purchase clothing or other personal necessities.
- Meet the refugees at the airport.
- Provide transportation for medical appointments, language classes, and/or job interviews.
- Take the family shopping, to a special community event, or to a church of their choice.
- Include family in outings; invite them into your home for a meal.
- Assist adults in preparing for work or in finding a job.
- Provide orientation to local area, and maybe provide help in learning how to ride a bus.
- Donate a car, or help fix up a car donated by VIS or another agency.
- Help register children in school.
- Assist adults in learning English.
- Donate money to help pay for rent, utilities and food.
- Plan or participate in fundraisers.
What is the financial commitment?
A ballpark figure over a four to six month period is around $2000 to $3000. This includes finding, renting and furnishing an apartment as well as paying for utilities and providing food in the first month. It may include rent, food and transportation assistance for three or four months. After 30 days refugees qualify for some federal assistance that helps out until they are employed and become self-sufficient. In all cases, a sponsoring church’s overall goal must be to assist the relocated family in becoming self-sufficient as soon as possible.
Must we learn everything through trial and error?
Not at all! PARA staff will give training before a church signs on as a sponsoring partner. PARA provides an organized manual that answers many questions and leads sponsors through the process. PARA staff also stands ready to assist and support churches each step of the way. For more information please call 616.574.7885.
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