Resettlement Sessions

Refugee Resettlement 101

During this session, we will provide important frameworks on the root causes of displacement and guide participants through current solutions to today’s refugee crisis. The solution of refugee resettlement will be explored in depth to provide understanding of the process refugees go through before and after arrival to their new communities in the United States.

Following this session, participants will:
Understand the causes of displacement and the three durable solutions for those who are displaced.
Understand the United States Refugee Admissions Program and where CWS serves across the United States.
Understand the importance of community involvement in welcoming and rebuilding the refugee resettlement program in 2022.

Introduction to Community Sponsorship

During this session, we will review the important role local communities have and continue to play in welcoming resettled refugees. We will explore the historic approach of co-sponsorship while providing updated information on current community sponsorship opportunities across the United States.

Following this session, participants will:
Understand the historical context of faith community co-sponsorship and the U.S. refugee resettlement program.
Understand the different ways community members can welcome refugees to their communities.
Understand how to access community sponsorship opportunities across the United States.

Organizing for Welcome

During this session, we will equip participants with the knowledge and tools to create a co-sponsor group to welcome arriving refugees. Participants will leave with a toolkit for creating, organizing and mobilizing a team of people and clear action steps to take to engage in co-sponsorship.

Following this session, participants will:
Understand best practices for organizing their faith community to welcome.
Understand how to navigate and utilize a toolkit for welcoming through community sponsorship.
Understand next steps to engage in community sponsorship.

Afghan Allies and Friends

During part one of this special series, we will discuss the coordinated efforts under Operation Allies Welcome that is supporting and welcoming vulnerable Afghans into the United States. We will discuss how CWS has historically supported Afghan refugees, what we are doing now through the Afghan Placement and Assistance program as well as what experts in the field anticipate. We will explore pathways to protection available for Afghans and consider what steps need to be taken to ensure all vulnerable Afghans are able to seek safety.

Intersection of Power, Culture and Anti-Racism in Refugee Resettlement

During this session, we will explore the basics of anti-racism and allyship in resettlement and their greater community. We will share about the topics of power, culture, and diversity in welcoming refugees. Participants will have a better understanding of their role in community transformation and as well as resources to share with their congregations and organizations.

Following this session, participants will:
Understand how to be an active ally.
Understand the intersection that power and culture play in welcoming refugees.
Have tools to continue self education and resources to share with community sponsorship group members.

Welcoming Vulnerable Populations

During this session, participants will be introduced to considerations when working with vulnerable populations of refugees. Health and mental health, age, and social/identity group status may cause increased vulnerability to arriving refugees. CWS staff will share about current programming to assist these populations in their transition to new communities. Participants will be equipped with an understanding of best practices in their volunteering with vulnerable refugee populations.

Following this session, participants will:
Understand and be able to identify vulnerable populations of refugees.
Understand programs and supports in place to assist vulnerable populations.
Understand best practices in volunteering with vulnerable populations.

Community and Refugee Integration

During this session, participants will learn how your faith community can be an active part of community transformation. As community members become proximate to the struggles of those living in their community, they become advocates for just and sustainable solutions for broken systems. Participants will hear directly from former refugees on how community sponsorship supports refugee integration.

Following this session, participants will:
Understand and identify methods to encourage integration.
Understand the intersection between community sponsorship and creating healthy communities.

Trauma-Informed Refugee Resettlement

During this session, we will discuss how welcoming communities must consider the impact that trauma has had on the lives of resettled refugees. We will explore trauma-informed considerations in refugee resettlement and how to act in a trauma-informed manner when volunteering. To aid in continued self-sufficiency, participants will leave the session with a resource list on the issues of trauma and trauma healing.

Following this session, participants will:
Understand types of trauma refugees may experience before and after arrival to the United States.
Understand trauma-informed practices to consider when volunteering.