large-image-hero.jpg

Little Amal feature image.jpg

Be a Welcomer with Amal

Stories of Welcome

Reflecting on two years at Welcome.US

Welcoming Week: A spotlight on co-sponsorship with Edison Visionary Lions Club

Tribeca film features family’s journey from Ukraine to the U.S. using Welcome Connect platform

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

“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).


Welcome.US to Host Special Event at Washington Monument During Little Amal’s D.C. Visit on September 17

Pilot program partners with national organizations to significantly increase the level of support for sponsors, using a group model with step-by-step training and funding

**WASHINGTON, D.C.**—Today, [Amazon](https://www.aboutamazon.com/), [Lions International,](https://www.lionsclubs.org/en) and [Welcome.US](https://welcome.us/) announced the launch of “Engage to Change,” a pilot co-sponsorship initiative designed to support the growth and sustainability of refugee resettlement programs by pairing civic and corporate partners with local resettlement agencies to welcome refugees into their communities. 

For the first time in nearly four decades, there are now three federal government programs that allow everyday Americans to sponsor people seeking refuge in the United States: [humanitarian sponsorship](https://welcome.us/become-a-sponsor/what-is-humanitarian-sponsorship), the [Welcome Corps](https://welcome.us/become-a-sponsor/what-is-the-welcome-corps) program, and [co-sponsorship](https://welcome.us/more-ways-to-help/become-a-co-sponsor). What makes co-sponsorship unique is that groups of individuals interested in sponsoring a newcomer family can partner with a participating local resettlement agency to welcome newcomers and receive technical assistance and support every step of the way. Other sponsorship opportunities do not include this same direct support from resettlement agency staff. 

In this pilot initiative, Welcome.US will work with Amazon and Lions International to mobilize local Lions clubs and Amazon employees to join co-sponsorship programs. The initiative aims to engage national organizations beyond Amazon and Lions International after its first year.  

The Engage to Change Co-sponsorship Initiative is a project of Church World Service’s [Refugee Welcome Collective](https://refugeewelcome.org/) and is funded under an agreement with the U.S. Department of State. Welcome.US is a consortium member of the grant and leads the partnership work with Refugee Welcome Collective. 

“Over the past two years, thousands of Americans from all walks of life have proudly and consistently raised their hands when the U.S. government has provided opportunities to be a lifeline to those in need of safety and refuge. We have seen our nation’s ability to welcome grow dramatically as private citizens have joined in this important work,” said Nazanin Ash, CEO of Welcome.US. “Co-sponsorship is a collaborative model that leverages the strengths of our communities, civic partners, and private sector to expand the capacity of refugee resettlement programs nationwide, helping newcomers land on their feet, navigate their first few months in the United States, and find the sense of belonging and inclusion that is so important to their success.”

The goal of Engage to Change is to create a model that engages national service member organizations, private sector companies, faith, and other community organizations to mobilize their members and employees to sponsor newcomers. 

Lions International has been a steadfast partner and supporter of Welcome.US’s innovative approach to growing a national movement of welcome from its inception in 2021. By participating in the Engage to Change pilot program, Lions International is not only deepening its commitment to serve newcomers by mobilizing Lions clubs to participate in co-sponsorship, but is also helping Welcome.US build a roadmap that can be adopted by other organizations to engage their respective communities in co-sponsorship. 

“Lions clubs nationwide have an opportunity to make a profound impact on the lives of newcomers in their communities,” said Brian Sheehan, Lions International President. “The Lions’ commitment to serve uniquely positions us to collectively make a tremendous impact not only on refugee families rebuilding their lives here in the U.S., but also on increasing the capacity of our nation to welcome as a whole.”

Amazon has been a leader in refugee resettlement projects like this new pilot initiative, serving as a central force on the Welcome.US CEO Council since 2022, including innovating rapid response solutions to bring essential goods and services to newcomers in the United States.

“At Amazon, we care deeply about refugee resettlement initiatives to help those facing the world’s most dire humanitarian crises,” said David Zapolsky, senior vice president at Amazon. “In the early days of the war in Ukraine, we opened two relief hubs to deliver aid to refugees. This partnership will enable us to increase our ability to help by harnessing the passion of our Amazon employees so refugees can find a new home and life in the United States.”

**How Engage to Change Co-Sponsorship Works**

[Co-sponsorship](https://welcome.us/more-ways-to-help/become-a-co-sponsor) is resettlement agency-led, meaning local resettlement agencies with dedicated program staff oversee co-sponsorship groups. Co-sponsorship is inclusive of all refugees and is not limited to a singular refugee population like some other forms of sponsorship. Co-sponsor groups typically include 6–10 individuals.

These co-sponsorship groups will receive comprehensive training and guidance from the local resettlement agency they are paired with, and they will work together to welcome newcomer families into their communities and provide support in key areas called “core services”—including tasks like greeting families at the airport, helping setting up a home for the newcomers they are supporting, and helping families access local resources like language classes. 

Typically, co-sponsorship programs require groups to fundraise up to $7,000 per newcomer family. In this initiative, Lions International will provide local Lions clubs with funds and Amazon will support employees that form co-sponsorship groups.

Welcome.US is actively working with International Rescue Committee, Church World Service, Bethany Christian Services, Ethiopian Community Development Council agencies, and their affiliates to pilot the Engage to Change model in cities with Lions International and Amazon co-sponsor pilot groups.


Amazon and Lions International Partner with Welcome.US on New Co-sponsorship Initiative to Increase Capacity of Refugee Resettlement Programs Nationwide

**WASHINGTON, D.C.** — On World Refugee Day 2023, Welcome.US — an organization working to inspire and empower Americans to welcome newcomers to their communities — released the following statement from Welcome.US President and COO Anya McMurray:

“On this World Refugee Day, we recognize the millions of individuals and families around the world who have been displaced as a result of violence, genocide, climate change, human rights violations, and other events. Tragically, over the past year there have been new and worsening crises, and once again we are seeing the number of people forced to flee their homes rise,  reaching an all-time high of 110 million people.  

“Yet even in the face of these ongoing challenges, there is real, meaningful change happening right here in the United States to support those who are seeking refuge. Over the past 18 months, more than 2 million Americans have raised their hands to help welcome people in need of safety through the U.S. government’s humanitarian sponsorship programs. In fact, Americans in every corner of the country, in more than 10,000 zip codes, are providing direct and tangible support to newcomers — vastly expanding our capacity to welcome beyond the traditional refugee resettlement infrastructure. Today, and every day, we honor and celebrate all those that are working to rebuild their lives, and those opening their doors in welcome, helping to meet the urgency of the global displacement crisis through sponsorship, and giving more people the opportunity to live with dignity and freedom.” 

Americans interested in learning more about sponsorship programs can visit [welcome.us](/). 


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

250,000+ 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