Community Sponsorship and Volunteering

Ambassadors of Welcome

Community. Partnership. Friendship.

Welcome newly arrived refugees to Orange County through community sponsorship. As a community sponsor, your group of 7-10 becomes a partner with CWS Orange County to greet a refugee family at the airport, assist them in securing and furnishing initial housing, connect them with local services, and show them all of the things that make our community so special!

Community Sponsor Interest Form

Groups of Support

Group Basics

7-10 Members
Community Group or Faith Community
4 Month Commitment
Partnered with 1 Client Household
Provide Social Support toward their goals of self-sufficiency
Provide Financial Support of $5,000

Community Sponsor Interest Form

Social Support

During the 4 month commitment, Community Sponsor groups support their refugee partner as they adjust to their new community. Community Sponsors help their partners navigate their new neighborhood and city, pay their bills and rent, make medical and social services appointments, and work toward other goals developed by the client's CWS Case Manager.

Financial Support

Community Sponsor groups support their refugee partner with $5,000 of financial assistance. This financial support is a critical part of the partnership and is designed to cover 3-4 months of the clients rent and utility payments. Clients often arrive with limited resources and this financial support allows them to focus on the immediate tasks of language learning, cultural orientation, and employment.

Ready to Learn More!

Community Sponsor Interest Form

If you are ready to make a difference in the life of a newly arrived refugee family, complete this Interest Form to introduce yourself. We will follow up with more information and next steps.

Support for the Journey

Hundreds of refugees are resettled each year in Orange County after fleeing persecution in their own home countries. Refugees often arrive with little to no English, limited familiarity with U.S. culture, and no financial resources. Their resettlement journey is long and full of challenges.

You can make that journey easier.
Volunteer to support newcomers as they rebuild their lives, and help us continue the tradition of welcoming refugees to Orange County.

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer Requirements

If you would like to volunteer directly with clients, we ask that volunteers are:

Able to commit to up to 3 months of direct service
Able to commit to approximately 1-3 hours a week of direct service
18 years old or older
attend a volunteer orientation/training
complete a background check

Some volunteer opportunities may vary from these requirements.

Volunteer Interest Form

Donate

Your gift empowers the work of welcoming refugees, immigrants, and asylum-seekers into lives of freedom, hope, and opportunity.

Donate

Stay Connected

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Volunteer

Refugees often arrive with little to no English, limited familiarity with U.S. culture, and no financial resources. Their resettlement journey is long and full of challenges.

You can make that journey easier.

Volunteer Opportunities