Choosing which refugees to sponsor is a big decision. If you do not already have a refugee family in mind, thank you for considering one of the many families in our database. They come from many different backgrounds, and all have unique stories and histories. Here are some things you might consider to help you choose which family to sponsor.
Important Factors When Choosing a Refugee Family
1. Prayer. Sponsorship should always be covered in prayer and guided by the Holy Spirit. If you feel particularly drawn to a certain refugee’s story or profile, don’t dismiss that – you may be feeling lead to them for a good reason.
2. Community. When people relocate, they feel settled and at home more quickly when there are others to connect with who speak their language, understand their customs, and relate to their cultural differences. Consider whether you might already have an ethnic community in your church or neighbourhood, and if the refugees you choose could be from the same background.
3. Demographics. If there are no small children in your church, a refugee family with small children might feel out of place as they have no friends or peers to connect with. Single people like to connect with other singles, and elderly people appreciate relationships with others in their age group. Consider the demographics of your church family in your decision so that the newcomers have opportunities to connect and grow friendships.
4. Work. If there are jobs available in your area, consider choosing a refugee with work experience in a related field so they can quickly find work and feel productive.
5. Language. Consider whether the refugees can speak English or not. Learning the language takes a long time, and may be the greatest barrier to employment. If your community offers ESL classes, that can help immensely.
Questions to Ask when Choosing a Refugee Family
Is this your first time sponsoring?
a. If yes, consider a smaller family size, like a couple or a single individual. The more people in the family, the more resettlement work is required, which may be overwhelming.
b. If no, consider how large a family you might be able to realistically support and resettle. Also, consider sponsoring refugees from the same country as your previous sponsorships – this creates a built-in community for the newcomers.
Do you have a large budget available?
a. If yes, please consider sponsoring a larger family. There are refugee families in our database with 10+ family members who have a very low chance of sponsorship because the cost is greater with larger families, and most churches cannot afford to sponsor them.
b. If no, a smaller family or a single individual might be a better choice for your sponsorship.
Have churches in your area sponsored in the past?
a. If yes, consider sponsoring refugees from the same ethnicity/country, as this creates a local community for the newcomers, helping them feel at home more quickly.
b. If no, consider whether there might be another significant ethnic presence in your area, providing a community for the newcomers .
Is there a need for a particular job skill?
a. If yes, and there is job availability in your area, consider choosing a refugee with work experience in that field, so they might find work quickly.
b. If no, consider prioritizing one of the other factors listed above instead.