The IRC in Atlanta’s Community Sponsorship program provides high level engagement opportunities for community groups to help newly arrived refugees integrate into local communities. A Welcome Team provides support to 1-4 newly arrived families for a short period of time. This work helps the IRC staff team to build capacity and allows for community groups to become experts in specific resettlement services.

A Welcome Team is a group of three or more people who make a minimum 30-day commitment to collaborate with the IRC to support newly arriving client families. Welcome Teams help to provide 1-2 initial resettlement services (e.g., airport pickup, apartment setup, enrolling children in school, public transportation orientation, etc.) and a financial contribution (cash and/or in-kind) of $500+ for a refugee family upon their arrival.

Community Sponsorship Options: Welcome Teams vs. HOME Teams

 

Responsibilities:

  • Organize a group of three or more people
  • Provide two or more initial resettlement services (e.g., airport pickup, apartment setup, enrolling children in school, etc.)
  • Make a financial contribution (cash and/or in-kind) of $500+
  • 30-day minimum time commitment (3-month max)
  • Attend IRC Volunteer Orientation
  • Attend supplemental training on specific services as needed

 

Requirements:

  • Complete Volunteer Onboarding Process including a background check
  • Track and log volunteer hours via online volunteer dashboard
  • Attend planning meeting

 

Your group may request an in-person or virtual information session with our team to discuss this opportunity in more detail. To learn more or sign up, please contact[email protected]