Community Sponsor Roles and Core Areas of Support

Team Member Roles

The core team members are instrumental in helping refugees become acclimated to a new culture and environment and to make their initial connections with the community. They assist CCC in resettling refugees and are crucial to the process, expanding the reach of CCC’s services.

Sponsors provide the services in part or comprehensively depending on the sponsorship level. Each month, CCC staff and the core teams will meet virtually to discuss progress and address problems or challenges.

All core team members can communicate with CCC staff. Any other volunteers will need to work with the core team leaders and cannot have access to a client’s confidential information.

Core Areas of Support

Teams will assist with three to five core areas of support depending on the sponsorship level. Core team members can divide the core areas of support in various ways based on their work experience, cultural backgrounds, network relationships, and ability to access resources. This enables members to use their strengths effectively and efficiently. Committees within a team can be formed based on the sponsor services that follow.

Here are some tips to keep in mind:

Grocery shopping:

• Walk individuals through the grocery store and show them how to find items by pointing out aisle signs.

• Explain things like “best by,” “sell by,” and expiration dates.

• Demonstrate how to use self-checkout and credit card machines.

• When finished, show them where to return carts.

Be mindful that the abundance of food in a grocery store can be overwhelming for a refugee who has experienced food insecurity.

Clothes shopping:

• Take them to stores that offer culturally appropriate clothing.

• Show them how to read price tags (e.g. MSRP versus sales price).

• Tell them to look out for sensors that a cashier may forget to remove.

• If they need to return an item, go with them to ensure they understand the process (money may not be immediately available if a credit/debit card is used).

ESL Enrollment or Tutoring

• Find no-cost or low-cost programs conducive to the refugee’s language capacity that are easily accessible such as community centers, places of worship, adult learning centers, and local colleges. If there is a cost, ask if the program offers discounts for refugees.

• Find out what class times would best work for the individual’s schedule. Online classes can be an option for those who have internet access. For online classes, ensure the individual knows how to connect to the internet, log-in, and use the platform (e.g. mute/unmute, stop/start Zoom video).

• Determine necessary class materials and if assistance is needed to purchase them. Class items may include laptop, pens/pencils, notebook, and reading materials.

• ESL classes can be challenging and overwhelming. Check-in with the individual to find out how

Cultural Orientation

• Walk through the home to see if refugees have any questions about any appliances or electronics.

You can also do this when you take them shopping or to an unfamiliar place.

• Take them on a welcome tour and show them landmarks and popular places people like to visit.

• Explain idioms and expressions that may be taken literally.

• Create a list of things to do or places they would like to visit

Additional resource: Refugee Training and Orientation: A Guide for Service Providers by Center for Applied Linguistics and Cultural Orientation Resource Center

Health and Wellness

CCC will ensure refugees receive their immunizations, health screenings, lab work, primary care appointments, and any other necessary referrals upon arrival. It is important for the refugee to become familiar with the process so they can handle future medical needs.

For health and wellness, teach basic health practices in the United States such as:

• Explain when to visit a primary care physician and when to go to the emergency room.

• Help set up a calendar with upcoming medical appointments.

• Explain how to call 911 and provide emergency numbers such as Poison Control.

• Teach basic nutrition in the United States.

• Explain how to safely store medication and keep out of reach of children.

Sponsors should be trauma-informed and recognize behaviors that could be coping mechanisms in reaction to trauma such as:

• Being late or missing appointments

• Not answering phone calls.

• Asking multiple people to help on the same problem. This may occur because the refugee might be seeking reassurance in the solution to the problem.

• Holding back information from someone trying to help. Make a list of important phone numbers and emergency contacts and post on refrigerator.

Financial Literacy

Pre-Arrival • Arrange for volunteers who can teach budgeting and personal finance skills.

Post-Arrival • Have refugees create a binder and include a simple budget sheet to keep track of monthly expenses and store current bills due; help them find a place to file previous months’ bills and statements.

• Show them how to navigate online banking, make deposit, read paystubs and banking statements.

• Point out bill due dates and the importance of paying on time because of possible late fees and penalties they may incur.

• Review income and expenses to ensure they do not overextend themselves or live above their means. Set savings goals as they become more self-sufficient should they want to purchase a car or their own home.

• Teach them about taxes, why it is important to file their taxes and when, and what documents they need to keep throughout the year to file.

Career Planning and Interview Preparation

• If a refugee is employable, it is important to have a conversation about job goals and expectations and to learn about their skills and educational experience. If a job comes along that does not appeal to their skills or strengths, it does not have to be accepted. The situation and decision is unique to each person.

• Recruit a volunteer to help build a résumé or use a free online template.

• Search for potential jobs by reaching out to employers and using the core team and volunteer networks.

• If the refugee is invited to an interview, ensure they are qualified for the job.

• Help them prepare for the interview by discussing reliable transportation and being on time, appropriate interview clothing, and practicing possible interview questions.

• Congratulate a refugee when they are offered a job and then help them prepare. Review how to request vacation and sick days and provide resources in case of harassment or abuse on the job.

Contact CCC for additional resources.