The tireless work of the IRC in Denver's community sponsorship team paid off this month, when a refugee family was matched with the co-sponsor group Arvada United Women in Faith, making the event the first co-sponsor match of 2023. The group, comprised of ten members and led by Marcia Canter and Lance Peterson, had been trained by the IRC in Denver's Community Sponsorship team in early April and subsequently completed all required paperwork.

"The story that hit me hardest was about an African refugee who had been a refugee since 2005. He was 11 years old at the time and on his own. When I complain about my life or the failings of loved ones, I think about how he's navigated through such trials,"

Marcia Canter, Arvada United Women in Faith president said after their training.

 

Not surprisingly, the group's commitment to their mission of co-sponsoring a refugee family was exemplary. 

"I am just amazed at how the community comes together to support IRC families. The day we had our meeting at Arvada United Methodist Church one attendee announced that she would donate $500 to get us started. Then another person donated as a sign of support. From large monetary donations to allowing us to have a  condo at a lower than market value to cleaning it, folks have stepped forward because they see the value of what the IRC is doing. Friends and relatives from 500 miles away donated as well when they heard what we were doing,"

Marcia remarked. 

After a lot of anticipation, the co-sponsor group and the IRC in Denver Community Sponsorship team was finally rewarded by welcoming their refugee family of four, a single mother with her three young children, at the Denver International Airport.

The co-sponsor group members then joined the IRC team at a hotel to help settle the family in temporarily, and to support them in their first meeting with their new landlord, a community member who graciously donated a two bedroom condo at an affordable rate for their first home. 

Marcia concluded about the whole experience:

"The IRC staff has been great to work with. They are responsive, caring and communicate well. Our project has been able to move as fast as it has due to the work of the people behind the scenes."

Already the next day, the family moved into their new home in Arvada, where their co-sponsor group assisted them with all the setups and provided emotional support.

"The family seemed so happy when moving to their new home and seeing all the support and helping hands around them."

says Homayoon Milad, APA Community Sponsorship Coordinator at the IRC in Denver.

The IRC in Denver thanks their co-sponsor group, and whole-heartedly welcomes this family who has successfully started their journey FROM HARM TO HOME.

If you or your community are interested in co-Sponsoring a Family and walking alongside them on their journey to safety, please click here. 

Written by: Hanna Simmons