Is your congregation or a community group feeling called to welcome and support a refugee? As multiple crises have led to record human displacement we see a variety of solutions put forward by federal and state governments and resettlement agencies. One model that has been used widely for the last several decades is called co-sponsorship. Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) describes it as a "special relationship between a local resettlement agency, a community group, and a refugee family."

Each agency with a co-sponsorship program handles things a bit differently to best accommodate their local context, but in each case, the community group is making a commitment to provide the majority (defined by the federal government as 51%) of the services refugees are entitled to receive. LIRS (and its affiliates like Lutheran Social Services) relies on community group co-sponsors to be the ones walking alongside a refugee family, providing the day-to-day support as they become more acclimated to their new life in the US. This hospitality of "the long welcome" can last 6 to 12 months. Lately, LSS has been pushing for a six month timeline to motivate refugees and avoid burnout for congregations. This work includes finding and furnishing initial housing and accompanying the families through a variety of services upon their arrival. ECDC, (a resettlement agency operating in Central Wisconsin, in partnership with New Beginnings for Refugees) describes the services of co-sponsors as "key integration pathways." These pathways begin with providing housing and welcome, and include transportation, health, education, cultural adjustment, jobs and finances.

Cosponsor groups are responsible for raising anywhere from $3,000-7,000 per family and provide (as a team) up to 10 hours each week in direct volunteer time. While providing housing and transportation is self-explanatory, cosponsors assist in the other areas by: helping their new neighbors establish at a local clinic and helping them schedule and arrive on time to medical appointments; helping parents enroll their children in the local schools; providing cultural orientation (for example, imagine being an outsider from a very different culture and trying to navigate the public transportation to the nearest grocery story and paying with Foodshare funds for the first time); and supporting them in finding employment and setting up their banking accounts and monthly budget. Other activities might include social outings to help their new neighbors become more acclimated to the local community and meeting new people. Of course, each community and each family will have their own unique sets of wants, needs, and opportunities, so this may look different from place to place. As we are people of faith, of course, one would hope that the spiritual care and wellbeing of these predominantly Muslim refugees would also be a priority. Cosponsors would be encouraged to connect with a nearby masjid/mosque or Muslim community center to make sure the refugees are connected to a faith community.

During the 6-12 month commitment of a co-sponsorship, agencies will do case-management, supporting the co-sponsor team and guiding the refugee family through the complex steps of resettlement - getting them connected with state and federal benefits, facilitating completion and submission of legal applications, and ensuring that crucial services like language/cultural education are being provided. Agencies are obligated to serve a family and cosponsor for the first 90 days but many will maintain that relationship for much longer. For example, while LSS works hard to get their clients on their feet and independent as soon as possible, they also commit to supporting them as needed for 5 years post-placement.

Not every resettlement agency operates on a co-sponsorship model. Organizations like Open Doors for Refugees in Dane County, Hanan Refugee Group in Milwaukee, and COMSA in Green Bay provide wrap-around services for newly resettled refugees in their communities, supporting and augmenting the services provided by the local resettlement agencies. Volunteer organizations like those are another great way for congregations to get involved and provide an even better opportunity for small groups and individuals to play a role in refugee resettlement.

Many agencies - including those with co-sponsor opportunities - offer alternative ways for congregations to serve as support teams. In Madison, Jewish Social Services has a program called CARA - Community Action for Refugee Arrival - where teams take on the responsibility of initial housing and welcome. LSS in Milwaukee has a similar program called Welcome Home, where volunteer groups set up initial housing. Both opportunities are significant projects but without the long-term commitment. And, naturally, our agencies could all use help from volunteers serving in their offices, warehouses, and various programs. See the listing below to connect with an agency near you to learn more.

For those within 50-100 miles of Milwaukee, LSS holds a cosponsor informational zoom session every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6:30pm. Contact Sarah Halstead of LSS Church Relations for a link. If you are outside the 100 mile radius, placement exemptions can be made by the state coordinating office, so if there is strong interest, keep the conversation going.

For those in the Madison area, contact Becca Schwartz, Resettlement Director at JSS for more information about the CARA program and other opportunities to help at JSS.

Other resources, including downloadable bulletin inserts, videos, and a recorded informational webinar about co-sponsorship from LIRS can be found here.

If you or your congregation are interested in further conversation with me about being a cosponsor or exploring other opportunities to support Afghans and other refugees, feel free to reach me by email and set a time for a virtual or in-person visit.

Rev. Peder Johanson (he/his)

Volunteer Coordinator, Afghan Refugee Response

Resettlement of Afghans from processing centers abroad continues through the organized system of resettlement, managed by the federal government. Prior to the beginning of this second wave, there were about 50,000 Afghans from the August '21 evacuation still being housed in military installments overseas, known as "lily pads." They are now arriving in Wisconsin via the normal refugee pipeline, but are still being resettled through the separate Afghan Placement and Assistance Program. Consider how you and your church can assist the nearest agency in meeting these needs. As the fiscal year comes to a close, we can expect an influx of refugees over the next 2-3 months.

Affordable Housing is a need everywhere, but particularly for refugees. One issue is the difficulty in finding adequate housing upon arrival.

Another issue is that as agencies and support organizations scramble to locate and secure a new home, sometimes the short term needs to take priority over the long term. In other words, after rental assistance funds run out, and families become more established, they may find it in their best interest to relocate. There are efforts underway by various groups to help with moving costs and logistics, but we foresee this becoming a greater need as refugees approach the 1-year mark in the coming months. Here is an article about how this situation is playing out in neighboring Minnesota. While I do not know of evictions happening in Wisconsin, that is an issue across the country. I'll say more about this in the coming weeks, but this is an example of how successful resettlement requires the support of the whole local community - not just the professional agencies. How do we, as followers of Jesus, lead the way in modeling this welcome and care of the neighbor?

Dental Care is such an important component of our overall health, and many Afghans have had serious dental needs upon resettlement. Unfortunately, Badgercare reimbursement rates are so low for emergency dental services that this care has been difficult to get. WCC donated $5,000 to a dental fund at LSS last Spring and are exploring further support to this important cause. Please consider making a gift to our program or holding a fundraiser at your church to help cover emergency dental care for Afghans in Wisconsin. Your proceeds can go directly to the nearest resettlement agency or through our Afghan Refugee Response program.

From our partners at the Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee

LSS has a partner with 5 more apartments for future refugee arrivals in need of cleaning and painting. With the hiring shortages currently being felt across the economy, these units sit empty and unavailable until the work can be done. Paint, some supplies, and lunch will be provided, but volunteers are needed to prepare these new homes.

The apartments are 2-bedroom (about 5 rooms total) and groups must plan to complete their unit in a single day or over two consecutive days. 8-12 people is recommended. If you or your leaders would like to discuss this opportunity further, contact Rev. Peder Johanson.

North West Wisconsin - Welcoming New Neighbors, an interfaith community coalition based in Eau Claire, is working with Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin to resettle Afghans in Eau Claire. Contact Rev. Peder Johanson to be connected with their leadership.

East-Central Wisconsin - Catholic Charities in Green Bay is resettling Afghans in and around Green Bay. World Relief is resettling Afghans in Appleton and Oshkosh and offer several ways to support the effort there.

Central Wisconsin - New Beginnings for Refugees is a new resettlement agency located in Wausau, under the direction of ECDC. They are resettling families in and around Wausau, including Stevens Point, Marshfield, and Wisconsin Rapids.

South West Wisconsin - Southwestern Wisconsin Community Action Program, Inc (SWCAP) is working with Church World Service to resettle Afghan families in and around Platteville. For more information and to discuss how your church can support their work, contact Rev. Peder Johanson.

South Central Wisconsin - Jewish Social Services is a resettlement agency located in Madison. With the support of volunteers through Open Doors For Refugees, they are resettling families and individuals in and around Madison. Visit opendoorsforrefugees.org to learn how you and/or your congregation to volunteer.

South East Wisconsin - Lutheran Social Services is resettling and supporting Afghans primarily in Milwaukee and within a 100 mile radius. They rely on cosponsors and volunteers for much of the support to the resettlement effort and care of refugees. International Institute of Wisconsin is also resettling Afghans in Milwaukee. The Milwaukee Muslim Women's Coalition provides services and support to the refugee communities in Milwaukee.

Madison-area refugees are able to apply for funds and support for education and career development as part of our Skill Development Initiative.

Those interested in furthering their English language proficiency, pursuing higher education, developing vocational skills, or starting or growing a business are eligible to apply in 2022 for mini-grants from the American Rescue Plan grant awarded to ODFR.

Applicants may also request funds to cover transportation or child care expenses if these are obstacles to enrolling in a class or program. Click here for more information.

*Not all requests can be honored. Find the online application form here.

Active volunteers, cosponsor team members, and others interested in engaging with one another around refugee resettlement are invited to our private Facebook Group.

For education and worship resources, volunteer opportunities, and to give a donation towards the WCC effort in helping refugees from Afghanistan, visit our website.

This work is possible because of generous donations from judicatories, churches, and individuals.

Choose "Afghan Refugee Relief" in the fund drop-down menu.