Partnering with Refugee Families for the Betterment of All
Our Purpose
A group of individuals in the Madison area working together to welcome refugee families to our community.
The Program
In January 2023, the U.S. Department of State launched the WelcomeCorps, a program that empowers everyday Americans to welcome refugees arriving through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). It matches a refugee family with a group of individuals willing to make preparations for, and then guide, them as they begin a new life in America.
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WelcomeCorps was fashioned similarly to the long-standing Canadian Group of Five program. Group of Five started in 1978 and has supported over 200,000 refugees, providing an example of the potential for everyday individuals to come together to make a difference in the lives of refugees.
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Across the US, volunteer groups of individuals are coming together to welcome refugee families.
Our Partner
Our group has chosen to partner with HIAS, a refugee resettlement agency. HIAS' long-standing Welcome Circles program provides groups like those in WelcomeCorps with a wide range of support on all aspects of refugee resettlement, including specially developed resources and access to a vibrant, online community.
More than one hundred years ago, the Jewish community founded HIAS (originally the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society), supporting Jews fleeing persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe. Today, HIAS clients come from diverse faiths, ethnicities, and backgrounds, as do their staff members. They bring their experience, history, and values to their work across five continents, ensuring that refugees today receive the vital services and opportunities they need to thrive.
