WelcomeCorps - private sponsorship of refugees

[MarciaB]

This news caught my eye yesterday:

Press release: https://www.state.gov/senior-state-department-officials-on-the-launch-of-the-welcome-corps-a-private-sponsorship-program-to-welcome-refugees-to-the-united-states/

From the official website: https://welcomecorps.org/#join-the-movement


Anyone else see this and think about helping with something like this? FIRE'd folks have both time and money... It really grabbed me. 

At this point I'm trying to figure out next steps. If 5 people are the minimum "pod" how would I find others in my community to join in with? Are there local Mustacheans interested?

Anyone in the MMM community kicking the tires on this?

[bacchi]

My partner helps newly arrived refugees.

There's a lot of joy -- teaching English; taking the kids out (so their parents can get a break in their small apt); helping them navigate American life; being invited to their family events.

There will be a lot of driving around for interviews and medical appointments (some have never been to a dentist and need multiple teeth pulled/capped). There will be a lot of waiting on hold while you help a family fill out a medicaid/SNAP/rental assistance form.

If the professional support is there and it's consistent, that really helps. If the agency has employees quitting and joining, it can be challenging.

This type of work will also really put on display how America shits on the poor. There are many companies and people out there that make a living from screwing over the poor because the poor, especially immigrants with limited English, don't question the additional fees.


Eta: There are a lot of generous people out there too. When my partner's group put out a call for donations, people donated. They got money for Chromebooks and bikes and medical bills that weren't covered by medicaid.

[MarciaB]

Thanks Bacchi for your thoughts. Can I ask what state you are in?

[eyesonthehorizon]

@SwordGuy is already knocking independent efforts out of the park but may want to pass this along to others who'd like to contribute as a team!

[SwordGuy]

@SwordGuy is already knocking independent efforts out of the park but may want to pass this along to others who'd like to contribute as a team!

Thanks!  That's very kind of you.

The link to the state dept just goes to a press release page, not a specific press release.  :(   So I don't know what's been announced and can't comment on it.

It's a non-trivial amount of work to sponsor someone and help folks transition to a life here.

Absolutely worth it as far as I'm concerned. 

Doesn't necessarily have to cost tons of money.  There can be a fair bit of paperwork to help people get the right kind of visa.  NGOs often know of an attorney who will do the work pro bono, or just help you fill it out yourself.

When my son inherits our wealth, he'll know that when the covid epidemic first hit, we made 25% of our rental units free for medical folks to use for a year so they had a place to live and not infect their own families. 

And they'll know that we hosted someone who needed a fresh start after their country was invaded and their life was upended.

When I teach my kids about how to handle being wealthy, it's more than just how to save and invest and SWRs.  I want them to see what more wealth than you really need is for.

[eyesonthehorizon]

@SwordGuy Looks like MarciaB meant to link to this which was likely on the front page at the time: https://www.state.gov/senior-state-department-officials-on-the-launch-of-the-welcome-corps-a-private-sponsorship-program-to-welcome-refugees-to-the-united-states/

[MarciaB]

Thanks eyesonthehorizon, I fixed the original post.

I've taken a look at the FAQs on the welcomecorps.org website and SwordGuy is right about the amount of work/commitment.

The one that popped out at me was that the sponsoring group had to secure initial housing...I live in Portland OR and that seems like a monumental task given our super tight housing market and the HCOL around here. That would suggest to me that the sponsoring group would need to be strategically chosen so that at least one member was well versed in the housing market, had something available to rent and/or knew others who did...housing seemed like the biggest ask to me.

[Cranky]

This news caught my eye yesterday:

Press release: https://www.state.gov/senior-state-department-officials-on-the-launch-of-the-welcome-corps-a-private-sponsorship-program-to-welcome-refugees-to-the-united-states/

From the official website: https://welcomecorps.org/#join-the-movement


Anyone else see this and think about helping with something like this? FIRE'd folks have both time and money... It really grabbed me. 

At this point I'm trying to figure out next steps. If 5 people are the minimum "pod" how would I find others in my community to join in with? Are there local Mustacheans interested?

Anyone in the MMM community kicking the tires on this?

We've actually signed up for this as part of my daughter's pod. I think she's got several other people signed on immediately, and some financial commitments from people at her work. I'll let you know how it goes!

[MarciaB]

Please do!

[SwordGuy]

Thanks eyesonthehorizon, I fixed the original post.

I've taken a look at the FAQs on the welcomecorps.org website and SwordGuy is right about the amount of work/commitment.

The one that popped out at me was that the sponsoring group had to secure initial housing...I live in Portland OR and that seems like a monumental task given our super tight housing market and the HCOL around here. That would suggest to me that the sponsoring group would need to be strategically chosen so that at least one member was well versed in the housing market, had something available to rent and/or knew others who did...housing seemed like the biggest ask to me.

An alternative is to work to the different strengths of the people sponsoring the person.   They don't all have to live in the same area.  One could be in a low cost of living area and able to help with transportation, etc.  Others could supply money, etc.

[clifp]

This news caught my eye yesterday:

Press release: https://www.state.gov/senior-state-department-officials-on-the-launch-of-the-welcome-corps-a-private-sponsorship-program-to-welcome-refugees-to-the-united-states/

From the official website: https://welcomecorps.org/#join-the-movement


Anyone else see this and think about helping with something like this? FIRE'd folks have both time and money... It really grabbed me. 

At this point I'm trying to figure out next steps. If 5 people are the minimum "pod" how would I find others in my community to join in with? Are there local Mustacheans interested?

Anyone in the MMM community kicking the tires on this?

I heard about this on NPR, and it also got my interest.  The state department FAQs are a bit light on the details.  I'm going to present it to my Rotary club and see if there is interest.

I'm very interested in hearing about @Cranky experiences please keep us updated.

 

[evme]

I signed up for this -- thanks for bringing it to my attention.

[SwordGuy]

I signed up for this -- thanks for bringing it to my attention.

Yeah, you! @evme