Welcome Family Partnership

A Church Group Adopting One Refugee Family For 3 Months

Group Adoption has not only made a significant difference in refugee families and their adjustment and assimilation to life in America, but it has also brought transformation to many Bible Study groups, Sunday School classes, and entire congregations too!

Would you like to learn how you can become involved in reaching out to these families?

Then read over the guidlines given below on how you can become involved.

Step 1: General Information

When invited, Cherie gives an introductory presentation to a church or small group of people who are considering reaching out to refugees. We cover--

• Info about refugees in general
• A refugee's journey
• Our mandate as Christians
• Ways church groups can help

Step 2:Training

When a group (church/class/Bible Study) decides they are ready to adopt a refugee family, the next step is to attend a training. Please send as many representatives from your group as possible.

The training will include, among other things--

• Info about culture
• Language, how to communicate
• Basics about Islam and Hinduism
• Responsibilities of the agency and the church group

Step 3:Organize

The group forms committees and begins to collect furniture items that would be useful in the refugee's new apartment.  They also pick a point person and someone who will plan and prepare the "milestone party" at the end of the 3 months.

The point person is someone who is good at listening, communicating, organizing and delegating.  They are the sole person who communicates with the agency.

Step 4:Set-Up

The agency will call the group when they know that there is a family who will be arriving soon. Sometimes they may know a week ahead of time, sometimes only a few days.

At this point the group learns a little about the family-- what country they are from, how many in the family, ages, and arrival time. If the group decides to adopt the family then they begin to set up the house at the location that has already been rented by the agency. If there are people preparing food this would be brought over to their house prior to their arrival at the airport.

Step 5:Arrival

The group is encouraged to go out to the airport and welcome the new family as they arrive. The case manager from the agency will be there as well, and can usually help with translation if needed.

After the big greeting the case manager may need help to transport them to their home and get them settled in, but it's not necessary for the whole crowd to follow.

Step 6:Settling In

The first three months are an important time when the refugee family may need more support and attention, particularly the first 30 days. It is also a time when the refugee resettlement agency works hard to connect them with core services.  See "Volunter Checklist" for a list of activities you can do with your refugee family those first three months.

Step 7:  Milestone Party

The designated person/people in the group plan a party for their refugee family three months after they arrive in America.  We come together and celebrate all that they have learned and accomplished.

This is also a good time to recognize all that the volunteer group has learned, and evaluate if the group would consider adopting another new family. Invitations should go to representatives from TRM and the refugee resettlement agency so they can help recognize the achievements in the crowd.

At this time the adoption group graduates to "friend" instead of "volunteer" status and the family is instructed to call the agency with any further problems, but call their friends for a visit.