Sponsor Circle Welcome Plan

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Sponsor Circle Welcome Plan Sponsor Circle Program for Afghans

A. SPONSOR CIRCLE:

Sponsor Circle Name

City State Zip code

Sponsor Circle Coordinator Name Email

In a few sentences, briefly summarize your Sponsor Circle’s motivation to welcome.

B. NEWCOMER(S) Please share information about the newcomer(s) you feel capable of supporting. Note that you must include

preferred family size. If there is a particular newcomer or are particular newcomers at a military base in the

United States with whom you wish to be matched, please include any available information about them

below.

NOTE: You will need to prove sufficient financial capacity to support each newcomer. See Financial

Assessment in Part E.

Family size

Information about known newcomer(s) (if applicable):

Last Name First Name Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY)

Military Base City, State HB#

Cell phone number #1 Cell phone number #2 Email address

Describe how your Sponsor Circle came to know the newcomer(s), including Sponsor Circle members who know the newcomer(s) and when/how they came to know them.

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IMPORTANT: The Sponsor Circle program will endeavour to the best of its ability to confirm a match with

any known newcomer(s) indicated in this Welcome Plan in partnership with the US government and relevant

processing partners. However, a match is not guaranteed.

In the event that a match with a known newcomer(s) is not possible, would your Sponsor Circle be willing to

welcome and support a different family?

YES, we would like to be matched with a different newcomer(s) that we can assist if the Sponsor Circles

Program is unable to confirm a match with the newcomer(s) we know.

NO, we wish not to be considered for a match with a different newcomer(s) if the Sponsor Circles

Program is unable to confirm a match with the newcomer(s) we know

C. WELCOME PLAN

a. Housing

As a Sponsor Circle, you must secure safe, sanitary, and affordable housing for the Afghan newcomer(s)

you are supporting. Please describe your plans for permanent housing, including the anticipated number of

rooms, estimated rental rate, and access to employment, education, healthcare, transit and shopping. If

temporary housing will be used prior to permanent housing, please provide details including number of

rooms, kitchen and living room facilities, other co-habitants if applicable, and anticipated length of stay.

Please provide the address for temporary and/or permanent housing, if known at this time.

NOTE: If you need support in identifying temporary housing, please indicate that here. Depending on your

location, your Sponsor Circle may be eligible for up to 30 days of temporary housing made available through

a partnership with airbnb.org. Guidance on how to access these credits will be made available after your

Sponsor Circle application has been vetted and approved.

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b. Basic Necessities

As a Sponsor Circle, you must ensure that Afghan newcomer(s) are equipped with basic start-up

necessities. Please describe your plans for purchasing or securing commitments for donated furniture and

household goods, clothing, and food staples. Please also describe your plans for ensuring access to

groceries and utilities (telephone, electricity, internet) for a minimum of 90 days. Reference any corporate

and/or charitable resources you will rely on to provide these necessities.

c. Documentation

Sponsor Circles support newcomers in securing documentation. Please indicate the links or locations that

offer guidance on this below, demonstrating that you know where to go for relevant forms and information.

Afghan newcomers who have been guests at military bases have been supported in applying for Social

Security Cards and Employment Authorization Documents, (EADs) which should arrive to the address of the

Sponsor Circle Coordinator provided in this welcome plan.

To ensure that the US government is aware of a newcomers’ residence until they have obtained citizenship,

newcomers must complete a change of address form and submit to the US Department of Homeland

Security each time they move. Please provide the link for the US Department of Homeland Security change

of address form.

Males ages 18 – 26 must register for selective service. This does not mean that they will need to serve.

Include the link for selective service registration here.

Afghan newcomers should be supported in obtaining a state ID and/or driver’s license. Detail the process

for this using the space below.

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d. Services and Benefits

Please identify the services and benefits that are available to the Afghan newcomer in your community. At

minimum, this is likely to include Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Programs (SNAP), cash assistance,

and medical assistance. Depending on age and ability, they may also qualify for Supplemental Security

Income or Disability. Please describe the research steps you have taken to identify available benefits and

services, including consulting with your umbrella organization and relevant local/state/federal authorities.

As a Sponsor Circle, you must guide Afghan newcomers through the process of accessing any available

services and benefits for which they might be eligible.

NOTE: All Afghan newcomers served through the Sponsor Circle Program for Afghans elect not to access

Afghan Parole Assistance (APA) Program cash and services through local resettlement agencies. However,

local resettlement agencies may offer other services. Local resettlement agencies should not be relied upon

to make local referrals.

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e. Health and Mental Health Services

As a Sponsor Circle, you are responsible for connecting the Afghan newcomer(s) to health and desired

mental health services. Once the newcomer(s) have obtained medical assistance (see above), they will

need to be supported in obtaining an initial health screening. Your State Refugee Health Coordinator (SRHC)

can assist in this referral. Please include the contact information of your SRHC here. You will also need to

support the newcomers in identifying a primary care physician and other desired health and mental health

providers covered through their medical assistance. Please describe your plan to identify a primary care

physician or facility and other desired health and mental health providers once the newcomer(s) have

obtained medical assistance.

f. Legal Assistance

Within the first week of arrival, you are responsible for connecting the Afghan newcomer(s) to legal

assistance to adjust their status. Please provide a description, name, and contact information of an

organization or legal professional who may assist the family in adjustment of status options such as

applying for asylum, Special Immigrant Visa status, or other.

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g. Education

As a Sponsor Circle, you are responsible for supporting the Afghan newcomer(s) in enrolling any school-

aged children in the public education system within the first two weeks of arrival. Please include your

district’s local point of contact for school enrolment. Briefly describe the enrolment process in your

community, including any needed immunizations.

h. Language

Please describe any English language learning opportunities in your community that Afghan adults may

access (e.g., English language classes, conversation circles at libraries, tutoring through local literacy

council). You are also responsible for informal language training support through regular interaction and

conversation or serving as language partners. Please describe your plans to support language acquisition.

i. Interpretation and Translation

While many Sponsor Circle activities with newcomers may be completed without interpretation or

translation, please describe how you will communicate with newcomer(s), as needed, for essential topics

and key appointments. Include the name(s) of those individuals or organizations who will provide in-person

or telephonic interpretation. Note that agencies that receive federal funds, such as hospitals or health

departments, are responsible for ensuring language access.

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j. Cultural Connections

Please describe how you will facilitate cultural connections for newcomers including access to culturally

appropriate foods, connections to any Afghan community, and faith community such as nearest mosque.

k. Community Orientation

Newcomer(s) will benefit from a basic introduction to their new home, community, and life in the United

States. This will include a review of topics such as home and personal safety orientation, rights and

responsibilities, navigating public transportation, and community supports. Please detail how you will

facilitate this introduction including any resources you might use such as those offered by the Cultural

Orientation Resource Exchange, public library, or elsewhere.

l. Employment

As a Sponsor Circle, you will be responsible for connecting the Afghan newcomer family to workforce

services in your community. Please describe local employment resources, including job centers, library

programs, and local job boards. You are also responsible for providing informal support in the job search

process, including short and long-term employment goals, development of resumes, support with

applications, interview practice, and using personal networks where available. Please outline your plans for

providing informal employment support, including any networks you plan to leverage.

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m. Transportation

Please describe available transportation in your community, noting how the newcomer might travel (e.g.,

bus, metro, rideshare, taxi, walk) to and from possible employment, schools, healthcare, faith community,

shopping, and grocery store.

D. SPONSOR CIRCLE ROLES

While Sponsor Circles are encouraged to organize according to what makes sense for their Sponsor Circle

and the newcomer(s), below are common roles and responsibilities. Beside each role or responsibility, write

the name(s) of the member(s) leading, coordinating, or facilitating access in that area.

Role and Responsibilities Sponsor Circle Member(s)

Sponsor Circle Coordinator

Housing

Food and clothing

Furniture and household goods

Services and benefits

Health and mental health services

Legal assistance

Education

Language

Community and cultural orientation

Employment

Transportation

Finance

Fundraising

30- and 90-day reports

For a list of Sponsor Circle activities and responsibilities, see Sponsor Circle Checklist.

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E. FINANCIAL ASSESSMENT This section will allow you to estimate the expenses associated with sponsorship.

a. Minimum Financial Requirement

Afghan Family Size the Sponsor Circle is Prepared to Support

Minimum Financial Requirement ($2,275 per person)

b. Estimated Living Costs First 90 Days

If estimated costs are reduced due to the availability of in-kind donations , indicate by writing “+ in-kind” next

to estimated cost.

Items Estimated Costs

Monthly Cost of Living in Welcoming Community

Rent

Utilities (electric, water, gas, oil as applicable)

Food

Phone and internet

Transportation (public transit)

Pocket money ($40 weekly per adult suggested)

Other costs

Monthly Total

Total Living Costs First 90 Days (Monthly x 3)

One-time Start-up Costs

Furniture and household items

Clothing

Food staples and welcome meal

Housing security deposit

Hook-up costs for utilities, phone, and internet

One-time Total

Total Estimated Expenses First 90 Days

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F. TOTAL COMMITTED FUNDS

Sponsor Circles should have financial resources to meet the living expenses as calculated TOTAL ESTIMATED

EXPENSES FIRST 90 DAYS in the previous section of Welcome Plan, section E b. Please list committed funds

below. Committed funds are often from individual Sponsor Circle members, fundraising campaigns, supporting

organizations, or other.

When submitting the Sponsor Circle application and Welcome Plan, Sponsor Circles will need to show proof of

funds for a minimum of 60% of the total required funds. Proof of funds may include a bank account in the

names of multiple members of the sponsor circle to which a member of the newcomer family is later added,

held in trust for the Afghan newcomer family, a GoFundMe page or similar site demonstrating funds raised, or

other documentation clearly demonstrating funds raised for the Sponsor Circle in support of the newcomers.

Name or source of committed funds Amount of funds committed

Sponsor Circle Coordinator

Member 2

Member 3

Member 4

Member 5

Member 6

Member 7

Member 8

Member 9

Member 10

Other:

Other:

Other:

TOTAL COMMITTED FUNDS

The above sections outline the minimum expectations and requirements for the Welcome Plan in

the Sponsor Circle Program. To better ensure adequate supports and access to services, Sponsor

Circle Umbrellas may provide more specific guidance to Sponsor Circles in preparing for and

assisting newcomers.

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G. SPONSOR CIRCLE MEMBERS

Primary Members (print full names)

Sponsor Circle Coordinator

Member 2

Member 3

Member 4

Member 5

Additional Members if Relevant (print full names)

Member

Member 6

Member 7

Member 8

Member 9

Member 10

H. SPONSOR CIRCLE DECLARATION

With the signature of the Sponsor Circle Coordinator, the Sponsor Circle members declare that:

• The information provided is to the best of our knowledge true, complete, and accurate.

• We have made or will make adequate arrangements in our community for the welcome of

the Afghan newcomer(s) we are matched to, as outlined in this Welcome Plan.

• We will provide 30- and 90-day progress reports as required by the Sponsor Circle Program.

• We understand that the Community Sponsorship Hub is authorized to share information

contained in this Welcome Plan with operational partners.

Sponsor Circle Coordinator

Name (print full name) Signature Date (MM/DD/YYYY)