U.S. government program aims to mobilize 10,000 Americans to welcome refugees through private sponsorship in 2023
Washington, D.C. — Today, Upwardly Global joined over 200 diverse organizations in signing a letter of support for the Welcome Corps, a new U.S. government community service program that allows everyday Americans to privately sponsor refugees from around the world. It represents the boldest innovation in refugee resettlement in more than 40 years, grounded in the generosity and compassion of American communities.
Over the last year, Americans from every corner of the country have stepped up to welcome Afghans, Ukrainians, and people in need of safety from Venezuela, Haiti, Cuba, and Nicaragua. Now, with the launch of the Welcome Corps, the U.S. government is making it possible for Americans to sponsor refugees from all around the world. Many of these refugees have spent significant time in refugee camps worldwide, often unable to leave freely, earn a living, rebuild their lives, and make contributions in the warm embrace of a new community. This system does not replace but adds to the critical support for refugee resettlement processes in the U.S. and support for refugee resettlement agencies and organizations like Welcoming America and so many others that support refugees on the ground.
“We have seen first-hand the generosity of Americans sponsoring Ukrainian refugees over the last year,” says Jina Krause-Vilmar, President and CEO of Upwardly Global. “Now with the launch of Welcome Corps, our communities will have the opportunity to extend the same generosity to more refugees from around the world.”
Learn more about the new program at welcomecorps.org.