Settling into a new community can be challenging. As refugee families begin their lives in Utah, support from their communities makes the transition smoother—from monetary donations to volunteer time and much-needed supplies, our community welcomes refugee families each and every day. Now, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Salt Lake City would like to invite interested community groups to join us as Community Sponsors. Organize your team to privately support a newly arrived refugee family during their first months post-resettlement, ensuring they have the resources, support, and training to effectively navigate their new community. Take a look at how this program works:

Welcome Teams

Supporting a family requires teamwork. Friends, coworkers, extended families, neighbors, or clubs form their own group of 6 – 10 people who commit to six months of support for a single family. This group will work together to deliver essential services and direct assistance to the refugee family with whom they are matched.

Financial Support

The welcome team will make a $3,500 donation (tax-deductible) to the IRC prior to the group being matched with a family. This funding will help cover rent, utilities, and other household costs for resettling refugees.

Time Commitment 

It takes time to transition to a new way of life. To be effective, the Welcome Team will commit to providing support to the refugee family for a minimum of six months. Team members should be available to provide services between business hours Monday-Friday.

Core Services 

  • When a refugee family lands at Salt Lake City International Airport, the welcome team will be there to pick them up. The Team will take them to their new apartment and provide a warm, culturally-appropriate meal for their first night in their new home as well as culturally-appropriate groceries for the weeks to come. The welcome team’s support will continue from Day 1 as the family’s basic needs are addressed. This includes services like:
  • Transportation to public benefit enrollment appointments, doctor appointments, and the IRC office,
  • Orientation on how to use public transportation and pay bills,
  • Assistance finding employment and practicing English,
  • And much more.

Interested? Complete this 30-minute training to better understand the basics of this program: https://sponsor.welcome.us/

Questions? Email IRC's Community Sponsorship Manager, Kristi Haycock, at [email protected] for more information. 

Take a look at our FAQ with Kristi Hackock here: Kristi Hayckock FAQ

Read more about Community Sponsorship in this Washington Post article!