Getting Started

HOW TO GET STARTED

A college or university campus is a small city capable of playing an important role in alleviating the refugee crisis.

 

  • Talk to your university or college President about housing a refugee family on campus grounds or near campus grounds. Think about the best ways to approach your President. See them face to face. Or get like-minded faculty, staff and students involved in that early conversation. Or start a petition. Or get the support of a donor. Or some combination of the above.

 

  • Once your administration is on board, identify available and appropriate housing. This can be in a dorm suite, a housing apartment or in an independent campus owned house on or close to campus. Your campus could also rent an apartment nearby if none of the above options are feasible.

 

  • Connect with a local resettlement agency to partner with them in sponsoring a family. The agency will provide you with a list of the things you will need to do for the newcomer family.

WHAT YOUR CAMPUS CAN OFFER

Your campus can provide housing, food, and many of the services that an agency provides for the 90 days Reception and Placement period. This allows the refugees to save their stipend for when they are required by the federal government to become self-sufficient at the end of those 90 days. In partnering with your local refugee resettlement agency, your campus can materially assist them in the important work they do.

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​WHEN YOU BECOME A REFUGE

Everybody wins! Your campus community will grow from working closely and intimately with newcomers. The refugee family will find a loving and caring community that will be there for them every step of the way. Your local community will benefit from the incredible connections you will build with its various constituents because of this humane effort.
Just remember, a campus is like a small city. You have hundreds of people in college or university community who possess all of the skills and resources needed. Get your community invested and on board. Your local resettlement agency will guide you on how to do it.
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   BECOME A REFUGE — YOU CAN DO IT!