National & Affiliate Resources

Learn from other RCUSA members including Resettlement Agency headquarters and affiliates.

​Here you can find community sponsorship resources including those related to organizing for sponsorship, distant/remote sponsorship, and community sponsorship and allyship. To share your organization’s resources, email them to communitysponsorship@rcusa.org.

Advocacy

• Frustrated You Can’t Welcome a Refugee

Allyship

• Community Sponsorship and Active Allyship

Asylum Seekers

• Commitment Forms
  • Sample Agreement for Compa/Guest
  • Sample Agreement for Volunteers
• Manuals
  • CARE Program Toolkit
  • Manual for Host Families and Support Circles: A Compilation of Best Practices for Accompanying Asylum Seekers
  • EMM Supporting Asylum Seekers: A Toolkit for Congregations
  • UUSC’s Accompaniment Project for Asylum Seekers Handbook for Congregations
• Promotional Materials
  • CARE Program Backgrounder
  • POWIR Backgrounder
• Sample Budgets
  • Sample Budget Supporting Asylum Seekers
• Sample House Rules
  • Sample Household Rules for Hosting Asylum Seekers

Commitment Forms & Volunteer Agreements

• Brief Guidance: Faith & Community Group Commitment Form
• Faith & Community Group Commitment Form
• Co-Sponsorship Memorandum of Understanding
• Volunteer Guidelines and Expectations
• CRIS Welcome Team Commitment Form

Community Sponsor Criteria

• Criteria for Co-Sponsorship
• Host Organization Letter of Intent
• Guide to the Co-Sponsorship Application

COVID-19

• An Introduction to Community Sponsors During COVID-19
• Managing Remote Volunteers
  • Managing Virtual Volunteers
  • Remote Volunteers – Dos and Don’ts
• Social Media Posts for Offices & Community Partners
• Ways to Still Welcome
  • Books to Read
  • Documentaries and Movies to Watch
  • Examples of IRC Remote or No Contact Opportunities
  • Helpful Websites and Apps to Explore
  • Podcasts
  • Ted Talks to Watch
  • Thirty Ways to Care for Yourself, Others, and Immigrants
  • Ways to Still Welcome – Pre-Arrival
  • Ways to Still Welcome – Post-Arrival

Financial Commitment

• Rental Assistance Policy

For Faith Groups

• Bible Study
• Children’s Sermon 1, 2
• Declaration Bulletin
• Group Activity 1, 2
• Hymns for Protecting Welcome, Restoring Hope
• Moment for Mission
• Orientation Guide for Faith Communities
• Refugee Worship Resource
• Scriptures for Protecting Welcome, Restoring Hope
• Stand for Welcome Bulletin

Fundraising

• Fundraising Guide for Groups
• LTI Fundraising Guide for Groups Interested in Community Sponsorship

Guide for Sponsorship Development

• LTI: A Guide for Sponsorship Development

Legal Requirements

• Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect

Manuals

• CWS US Refugee Resettlement: An Orientation Guide for Faith Communities
• HIAS Refugee Resettlement in Partnership: A Guide for Community Volunteers and Institutions
• IRIS: Community Co-Sponsorship Program Manual for Refugee Resettlement
• LIRS Circle of Welcome – Volunteer Guide
• Refugee One: Co-Sponsors and Mentor Teams
• AIUSA Guide to Community Sponsorship

Media

• Press Release Template

Organizing for Sponsorship

• Getting Started – Co-Sponsorship
• Organizing the Welcome Team
• Welcome Team Activities Checklist
• Welcome Team Checklist
• Welcome Team Planning Worksheet

Other Ways to Welcome

• 25 Examples of Longer Table Actions

Promotional Materials

• Community Engagement Overview

RCUSA Community Sponsorship Project

• RCUSA Community Sponsorship FAQ
• RCUSA Community Sponsorship Overview

Remote Sponsorship

• Circle of Welcome: Distant Partner Model Summary

Staff Job Descriptions

Timeline

• Co-Sponsorship Timeline in Brief
• Lutheran Social Services: Welcoming Refugees Good Neighbor Timeline