What is the Sponsor Circle Program?

The Sponsor Circle Program enables groups of individuals in local communities to form certified Sponsor Circles to provide initial welcome and support to newcomers. The Community Sponsorship Hub oversees the process through which Sponsor Circles are vetted and certified and support newcomers seeking refuge in the U.S. This program provides critical support in ensuring that newcomers receive welcome and support.

Through the Sponsor Circle Program, hundreds of newcomers have been welcomed into communities across the country.

What support will I receive as a Sponsor Circle?

As a Sponsor Circle, you won’t be alone. You will have access to application support, temporary housing credits offered through Airbnb.org, a growing suite of sponsor tools and resources, and ongoing guidance offered by welcoming experts. You will also be connected with a partner organization serving as a Sponsor Circle umbrella. These organizations have deep expertise in resettlement and will provide you with ongoing guidance and support, including answering any questions that you may have during your Sponsor Circle experience.

Explore various resources under the Tools section of the Sponsor Circle website.

Can you help connect me with a beneficiary/sponsor?

Sponsors do not need to be related to a humanitarian parolee seeking refuge to sponsor. To be eligible to apply, you just need to be living in the U.S. with lawful status and have a beneficiary to sponsor. Visit U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for more information.

If you aren’t already connected to a beneficiary in need of support, we encourage you to reach out to groups in your area to see if they can connect you to a beneficiary who is seeking a sponsor. You may also wish to register with Welcome Connect, a platform that connects beneficiaries seeking refuge in the U.S. and people who want to sponsor newcomers and help them rebuild their lives. If you are a certified Sponsor Circle, you can also reach out to your Sponsor Circle Umbrella. 

Can you connect me to resources in my community?

There are several resources that you may find helpful. United Way’s 2-1-1 service (find your local 2-1-1 here) can be a great place to start to learn about community resources in your area. USA Hello and the FindHello app can also help you find resources in your area.