Nominate a Welcomer
We’re recognizing Welcomers nationwide who are showing an enduring commitment to taking action and making a meaningful difference for newcomers in their communities.
Nominate
Every day across the country, Welcomers are showing up. They are more than volunteers—they are friends and neighbors helping newcomers thrive in their new communities through acts of compassion and support.
Here’s how it works:
When you nominate someone who embodies The Heart of Welcome, they will:
- Receive a personalized recognition certificate
- Be featured on Welcome.US platforms (newsletters, social media, website etc.)
- Receive Welcome.US swag
- Have a chance to receive a $100 DoorDash gift card
Put a spotlight on people you know who exemplify welcoming in action. We’re excited to recognize their impactful work on our channels and share their story with our Welcomer community.
WALL OF WELCOMERS
JudyColorado
At 88, Judy is a Colorado legend of welcome. She’s mobilized 500 volunteers to furnish homes for refugees—one of whom later saved her life.
MichaelOregon
Michael brings welcome to life through his love of cultural arts and his support for Oregon’s Ukrainian community, from producing music that preserves heritage to helping newcomers settle in.
JessicaCalifornia
Jessica rallies friends, family, and neighbors to support newcomers—from organizing a clothing closet to reuniting a Syrian refugee with her dog—changing how her community sees refugees.
SteveFlorida
Steve leads by example through interfaith work and steady support, helping St. Evangelical Lutheran Church welcome multiple newcomer families and build a culture of genuine hospitality.
JaneIowa
For Jane, welcoming is a calling rooted in faith. She’s spent years walking alongside refugees, believing everyone deserves safety, freedom, and a fair chance to thrive.
AliceMinnesota
Alice’s warmth and resourcefulness have helped two refugee families build new lives. She’s proud to see them thriving—and already preparing to welcome the next ones.
HeatherNorth Carolina
For Heather, welcoming isn’t a job—it’s her way of life. She’s always ready to set up homes, answer late-night calls, and make sure newcomers are supported.
CoreyArizona
After experiencing deep hospitality in Ukraine, Corey opened his own home to a Ukrainian friend. Even while serving in the Army, he continues to help him thrive.
AnneUtah
Anne brings care and precision to her work at Lifting Hands International, ensuring refugee families in Utah have what they need to feel comfortable and at home.
MattPennsylvania
Matt has turned his city's proud history of welcome into a living movement—from inviting Malala Yousafzai to town to helping launch the city’s first campus-based refugee housing program at Millersville University.
CelWyoming
Guided by faith and a commitment to “kinship,” Cel formed a Welcome Circle, uniting her parish and town to support a Ukrainian family fleeing war.
Ahmadullah
Having experienced the challenges of starting over himself, Abdullah now helps immigrants navigate life in a new country—offering guidance, community, and a warm welcome to every newcomer.
FelisaNew Mexico
Drawing on years in Afghanistan and Kazakhstan, Felisa welcomes newcomers with deep cultural understanding—mobilizing her community, church, and friends to help Afghan and Kazakh families feel at home.
MikeGeorgia
As a Welcome Corps sponsor for Haitian newcomers, Mike leads with compassion—always putting others first and finding joy in helping families feel supported, included, and part of his extended community.
RivlyFlorida
Guided by faith and compassion, Rivly helps refugees rebuild their lives through cultural exchange, practical support, and advocacy, creating spaces of dignity, belonging, and shared resilience.
KristenOhio
Driven to make a difference beyond politics, Kristen supports newcomers through volunteerism and sponsorship—building hope, optimism, and community strength one family at a time.
JennaNew Mexico
Jenna joined friends from Cohousing ABQ to sponsor a refugee family, discovering deep friendship and joy in helping them adjust to life in the U.S. and sharing in their kindness.
MemoryGeorgia
Once a newcomer herself, Memory now pays it forward—offering guidance, encouragement, and a helping hand so others can find their footing and thrive in their new community.
Who is a Welcomer?
A Welcomer supports newcomers through acts like private sponsorship, providing guidance in their new neighborhoods, volunteering with frontline organizations who support newcomers, and celebrating important moments together. Every act of welcome is meaningful.
Welcomers in action
In communities across the country, this is The Heart of Welcome.
