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Welcome.US named Holiday Impact Prize Honoree

Stories of Welcome

Twice displaced, a Ukrainian family finds support and friendship in New York

A Rotary connection leads to a new beginning for one Ukrainian family

Reflecting on two years at Welcome.US

A generation apart, sponsorship transformed the lives of two brave young women from Haiti. At age 21, Marie and Berlange each made the difficult decision to leave their homeland to find refuge in America. This shared history fostered an immediate connection, turning two strangers into family. Inspired by her own experience, Marie sponsored Berlange and provided pathway to safety and stability for her in the United States. Sponsorship provides a lifeline to people from Haiti, Ukraine, Venezuela, and other countries in crisis.

Inspired By Her Own Experiences, a Sponsor Provides Safety to a Haitian Newcomer

Dr. Kyle Varner gained a unique perspective on the devastating impact of economic collapse in Venezuela while working as a medical volunteer at the Colombian-Venezuelan border. His time there inspired him to take action to sponsor young adults from Venezuela seeking freedom, opportunities, and safety in the United States. More than 6 million people have been forced to flee their homes due to political oppression and life-threatening violence in Venezuela. Following the success of humanitarian sponsorship programs for Ukrainians and Venezuelans—which inspired more than 200,000 Americans to step forward as sponsors—the U.S. Government has now also designated Cubans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans as eligible for humanitarian sponsorship. 

Why a Volunteer Doctor in Venezuela Was Inspired to Become a Sponsor

About Welcome.US

Welcome.US recognized in back-to-back years with annual award that raises millions and recruits thousands of volunteers for featured organizations


**WASHINGTON, D.C.**—For the second year in a row, Welcome.US was recognized as one of the nation’s top organizations to donate time and resources to by two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof in his [annual holiday giving guide](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/18/opinion/holiday-giving-gift-guide.html). Welcome.US was named a [2023 Holiday Impact Prize](https://kristofimpact.org/?utm_source=genmedia&utm_medium=gen&utm_content=gen&utm_campaign=hip23) honoree for its ongoing work facilitating the private sponsorship of refugees seeking safety in the United States, and is the only volunteer opportunity to be featured alongside this year’s three donation-focused winners. 

The 2023 honorees were selected as part of a special readers’ favorites edition, which also include [CAMFED](https://camfed.org/kristof_nyt), [OneGoal](https://onegoal.com/3tW4e3w), and [Per Scholas](https://perscholas.org/kristof-impact-prize/?utm_source=2023-NKHIP&utm_medium=link&utm_id=2023-eoy&utm_content=2023-nkhip-landing-page). Since 2019, the Holiday Impact Prize and the special edition [C-19 Impact Initiative](https://kristofimpact.org/2020-c19-initative/) have together raised over $34 million and recruited over 4,600 volunteers for featured organizations. The Holiday Impact Prize is supported by Focusing Philanthropy.

“The holidays are a time when we can come together and try to help others. I’m grateful to supporters who have made it possible for the Holiday Impact Prize to continue into this fifth year. Your contributions have aided remarkable organizations working to make the world a better place,” said Nicholas Kristof. “I’m delighted to welcome back a few organizations that readers particularly loved so we can help the most people possible this holiday season.”

Kristof continued, “I’m inspired by the Welcome.US mission of empowering everyday Americans to sponsor refugees and help them integrate into local communities. I exist because of such generosity, for American sponsors welcomed my dad as a refugee after World War II. As the war in Ukraine persists, we have an opportunity to offer warmth and community to individuals and families looking for a bridge to safety.”

“Welcome.US is incredibly grateful to be recognized as the top organization for Americans to volunteer their time and resources. Over the past two years, thousands of Americans have raised their hands to welcome and support those fleeing violence and persecution, yet there is still an urgent need for more people to serve as sponsors, providing a much needed bridge to safety for refugees as they rebuild their lives in the United States,” said Nazanin Ash, CEO of Welcome.US. “The Kristof Holiday Impact Prize has allowed Welcome.US to grow and scale the work we do to respond to the global displacement crisis we are facing with dignity and compassion—and uplift entire communities in the process.”  

Kristof spotlights the continued work by Welcome.US to inspire, recruit, and mobilize Americans to sponsor refugees as they build new lives in communities across the United States, providing a bridge to safety for individuals and families forced to flee their homes. Founded in response to the extraordinary challenge of resettling Afghan evacuees after the fall of Kabul in 2021, Welcome.US quickly expanded its work in 2022 to help welcome Ukrainians displaced by war and again in 2023 with the addition of new government programs that allowed private citizens to sponsor eligible individuals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, Venezuela and from around the world through the Welcome Corps.

In just two years, nearly 2 million Americans have raised their hands to participate in sponsorship, yet there is still an urgent need for sponsors to provide critical support to refugee families. This year, the United States is projected to provide safety to as many as 500,000 newcomers, with over 80 percent finding refuge through [community sponsorship](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/a-year-into-war-u-s-sponsors-apply-to-welcome-216000-ukrainian-refugees-under-biden-policy/). The number of Americans that signed up to sponsor refugees in the first 18 months since the private sponsorship programs launched is more than the U.S. government has admitted in the last 20 years combined. 

The support that sponsors provide can take many forms, including help with furnishing a home, job applications, enrolling children in school, grocery shopping, doctor visits, getting a driver’s license, and more. 

Americans can learn more about becoming a sponsor by visiting [Welcome.US](http://welcome.us) and [signing up](https://welcome.us/welcome-connect) to connect a refugee seeking a sponsor in the United States through the online Welcome Connect platform. 

Those looking to make a difference can donate or sign-up to volunteer through January 31, 2024 by visiting [KristofImpact.org](https://kristofimpact.gift/KIP23-PR). For more information, read Kristof’s 2023 holiday giving column in [The New York Times](https://kristofimpact.gift/2023-column).


Welcome.US Named 2023 “Holiday Impact Prize” Honoree by New York Times Columnist Nick Kristof for Continued Work Supporting Refugee Sponsorship

**WASHINGTON, D.C.**—Welcome.US Co-Chairs Cecilia Muñoz and John Bridgeland and CEO Nazanin Ash issued the following statement on the passing of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, who served as an honorary Co-Chair of Welcome.US with her husband President Jimmy Carter since its founding.

“Rosalynn Carter set an extraordinary example for generations of Americans by leading a life of compassion, humanity, and advocacy. She worked tirelessly to develop what she described as ‘a more caring society,’ which is a foundational value for all of us at Welcome.US. Together with President Carter, the former First Lady helped promote human rights both here at home and around the world, especially with regard to growing and modernizing our refugee resettlement system. Welcome.US is incredibly grateful for Rosalynn Carter’s service, and we send our deepest condolences to President Carter, the Carter family, and all those who loved her.”

Welcome.US Statement on the Passing of First Lady Rosalynn Carter

“Open Arms, Welcoming Hearts” event celebrates everyday Americans welcoming refugee newcomers into their local communities, will include interactive art installations and a special announcement 

**Washington, D.C.**—On Sunday, Sept. 17, Welcome.US will host an [official event](https://welcome.us/news-and-stories/amal-walks-across-america) on the “Amal Walks Across America” tour to help welcome Little Amal to the nation’s capital during her 6,000-mile journey across the United States this fall. Amal is spreading a message of hope, and during the Welcome.US event, she will help increase awareness of the thousands of everyday people who are sponsoring refugees seeking safety and stability in the United States. 

Welcomers who are supporting refugee newcomers like Amal will greet her with joy, bring gifts of friendship, and help her feel at home during a family-friendly celebration at the Washington Monument. The event will feature an interactive art installation and remarks by Assistant Secretary of State Julieta Valls Noyes and Welcome.US Co-Chairs John Bridgeland and Cecilia Muñoz who will issue a nationwide call-to-action for Americans to get involved in welcoming refugee newcomers to their communities as private sponsors and make a special announcement about new support programs for sponsors. This event is possible thanks to the generous support of [The Shapiro Foundation](https://theshapirofoundation.org/).

Little Amal, the internationally-celebrated 12-foot-tall puppet of a 10-year-old Syrian refugee girl, will travel to Washington, D.C., from Sept. 17–19 during her two-month trek, which spans more than 40 U.S. cities and towns for 100+ events. Some of the country’s most influential cultural institutions and artists will come together to greet Amal and add their unique color to the rich tapestry of America’s story. 

Little Amal—whose name means “hope” in Arabic—has journeyed across 15 countries, meeting more than one million people and engaging tens of millions of followers online. In the process she has become a symbol of human rights, raising awareness about the global refugee crisis and the need for all of us to be part of the solution.  

Amal Walks Across America is produced by The Walk Productions in association with Handspring Puppet Company and is one of the world’s largest free public art festivals. Along her epic cross-country journey, she will join more than 1,500 artists and participate in 100-plus local events in 40 towns and cities.

**WHAT** 

“Open Arms, Welcoming Hearts” event hosted by Welcome.US during “Amal 
Walks Across America” tour

**WHO**	

- Little Amal
- The Honorable Julieta Valls Noyes, Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration, U.S. Department of State
- John Bridgeland, Welcome.US Co-Chair
- Cecilia Muñoz, Welcome.US Co-Chair
- Anya McMurray, Welcome.US President and COO

**WHEN**	

Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, at 5:30 pm

**WHERE** 	

The Washington Monument, 2 15th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20024

The “Open Arms, Welcoming Hearts” event will celebrate the welcoming efforts of community-based partners as they present Little Amal with a special token of friendship. The event will include an interactive lightbox installation that spans 30 feet and spells “Be a Welcomer,” representing the welcoming light those seeking refuge feel as communities come together to help newcomers thrive. Attendees will have an opportunity to write a message of welcome for newcomers, which will be lit up in the evening. There will also be a “Stories of Welcome Neighborhood” to call attention to the scope and scale of the national effort to welcome newcomers and the local communities that make welcoming possible. These house-like structures will be populated with photos and portraits of Welcomers and newcomers, highlighting their journeys and special bonds. 

To learn more about Welcome.US and its involvement in Amal Walks Across America, click [HERE](https://welcome.us/news-and-stories/amal-walks-across-america). For more information on Amal Walks Across America, visit [WalkWithAmal.org](https://walkwithamal.org/).

Media interested in arranging prior or on-site interviews with officials in the speaking program, everyday Americans serving as sponsors, refugee newcomers, or any of our event partners should contact **press@welcome.us**.

A full PRESS KIT for Little Amal and her walk across the United States—with images, videos, and a Q&A about the project—can be found [HERE](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1GSzCQdEhbg3v122NErCuJcP9mLyLncXK).


You can be a bridge to safety for people seeking refuge in the U.S.

300,000+ sponsor applications filed by everyday Americans to bring Afghans, Ukrainians, Haitians, and others to safety.

40 of America's most influential companies mobilizing resources, innovations, and employees to support those seeking refuge.

440+ organizations from across the country supporting newcomers and powering a nationwide welcome movement.

Introducing the Welcome Corps