MAR 1 2021
By Hannah Lee, Director of Community Engagement + Mariah Green, Volunteer Coordinator
There are many exciting things happening this year: the US refugee resettlement program is being rebuilt, Canopy’s work is growing, and our Co-Sponsor Model is getting a brand new look!
As Canopy continues to grow, we want to make sure our programs continue to be sustainable and equitable. That’s why we are making a few changes to Canopy’s current co-sponsor model. Before we dive into how we are re-shifting our co-sponsor model, let’s start with the basics: what exactly is co-sponsorship in the first place?
What is Co-Sponsorship— and Why does it matter?
Co-Sponsorship is a cornerstone of Canopy’s work. The goal is for co-sponsors to help make the difficult integration process easier and less overwhelming for our new neighbors. Up until this point, co-sponsors have been teams of 8-12 people that work alongside Canopy and new arrivals to provide support and community.
Co-Sponsors commit to partner with Canopy for 6 months and help new arrivals by:
- Securing essential furniture and moving it into their new home
- Furnishing the home and making it feel like home!
- Providing a hot meal upon arrival and stocking the home with 3 days of groceries.
- Helping with transportation to appointments
- Showing our new neighbors around the community
- Providing orientation on how to navigate systems in the local community such as the bus system, banking and personal finance, and the laundromat
- Becoming their friends.
Co-Sponsors also help Canopy with the nearly $8,000 it costs to resettle a new household by fundraising $1,200.
As you read through that list of responsibilities for co-sponsor teams, you might have thought to yourself: Wow! That is a lot of work!
And you are right- it is a lot of work for one team.
That’s why we decided to distribute that work into 5 separate pieces, all of which still fall directly under the Co-Sponsorship Department. Under this new model, Canopy still has co-sponsorship, but instead of all of these responsibilities belonging to every team, they are distributed across 5 main areas.
The Co-Sponsor Department
Under the Co-Sponsor Department, there are 5 unique ways for you to get involved with the resettlement process- and you can be a part of as many as you want!
Are you interested in walking alongside a new family as they begin the process of making NWA home? You might be a perfect fit as a mentor!
Do you prefer behind the scenes work and enjoy working in hands-on ways? You can join our Move-In Committee and help furnish a new home for our newest neighbors.
Is your faith community, community organization, or business looking for a great place to donate? Join Canopy as a Household Sponsor and help us raise $1,200 to offset resettlement costs!
Whatever your passion and your interests, you can find your niche in our co-sponsor department!
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