Our August Mission is Refugee Resettlement

Last August we began the journey to support a refugee family through the Welcome Corps program. “The Welcome Corps” allows private US citizens to sponsor refugees who have been approved for resettlement in the US by the US Refugee Admissions Program. In groups of 5 or more, sponsors provide needed support for the first 90 days and continue to help them reach independence. Four of the five sponsor members are from Lakeview UCC and on January 17, 2025, we welcomed a wonderful family of four from Venezuela. With the contributions of money and furnishings from the congregation the family has made great strides in beginning a new life in America.

Through their own savings and help from our Go fund Me site and the sponsors, the family now has a used car which will make them more independent and will open new opportunities for higher paying jobs.

In February of 2025 we received word that the Welcome Corp program had been terminated by the current administration. This did not affect the status of the family, who have received social security numbers and state IDs, but it did eliminate the support staff that were helping our 5 member sponsor group under the Welcome Corp umbrella and eliminated the pathway for any additional refugees to enter the US. Recently the passage of the BBB bill will eliminate SNAP benefits at their next recertification appointment.

When their used car was purchased, we knew new tires would be needed, however at this time it is not in their budget to afford this expense. Our August mission giving will enable the family to purchase the tires, be safe in driving, and help them locate better paying jobs. This is one of those rare times when you see clearly where your giving is needed and the people that it will help. We are the people that “We the People” refers to, and we can represent the welcoming people that we are called to be.