Refugee Group Adoption

A Body of Christ adopting one refugee family for 90 days

Group Adoption has not only made a significant difference in refugee families and their adjustment and assimilation to life in America, but it has also brought transformation to many Bible Study groups, Sunday School classes, and entire congregations too!

Steps To Group Adoption

Would you like to learn how you can become involved in reaching out to these families? Then read over the guidlines given below on how you can become involved.

Step 2: Training

When a group (church/class/Bible Study) decides they are ready to adopt a refugee family, Cherie comes out and does a training.

Sometimes one of the representatives from one of the refugee agencies come along as well. The training will include, among other things:

• Info about culture
• Language, how to communicate
• Basics about Islam and Hinduism
• Resettlement process
• Responsibilities of agency and volunteers

Step 4: Set-Up

The agency will call the church group when they know that there is a family who will be arriving soon. Sometimes they may know a week ahead of time, sometimes only a few days.

At this point the group learns a little about the family-- what country they are from, how many in the family, ages, and arrival time.

If the group decides to adopt the family then they begin to set up the house at the location that has already been rented by the agency.

If there are people preparing food this would be brought over to their house prior to their arrival at the airport.

Step 5: Arrival

The church group is encouraged to go out to the airport and welcome the new family as they arrive.

The case manager from the agency will be there as well, and can usually help with translation if needed. After the big greeting the case manager may need help to transport them to their home and get them settled in, but it's not necessary for the whole crowd to follow.

Step 6: Helping your family settle in

The first 90 days are an important time when the refugee family may need more help and attention, particularly the first 30 day

It is also a time when the refugee agency works hard to connect them with core services. Their case manager could certainly use your help to meet these requirements.

He/she will communicate to your point person where the transportation needs are and what services you can help them with.

Here is a list of some of those core services:

• Medical: TB clinic, immunizations, initial doctor visits, dental and vision exams
• Education: enroll children in school, register adults for ESL at Pima Adult Education Center
• Benefits: application for D.E.S. benefits, app. for SS #
• Transportation: bus pass from Suntran, learn how to use public transit
• Employment: applications, job interviews, placement
• Childcare: place kids in daycare when necessary
• Cultural Orientation: ongoing

Here are some other things that your group can help with if you have the time:

• Introduce them to their community (library, supermarket, park, post office, etc.)
• Orientation to supermarket
• Help with transportation to appointments
• Tutor them in basic English
• Help figure out bus routes
• Help them open a bank account
• Help them sort through their mail
• Invite them to your house for meals (especially holidays)

Step 7:  Milestone Party

The designated person/people in the group plan a party for their refugee family three months after they arrive in America.

We come together and celebrate all that they have learned and accomplished.  This is also a good time to recognize all that the volunteer group has learned, and evaluate if the group would consider adopting another new family.

Invitations should go to representatives from TRM and the refugee resettlement agency so they can help recognize the achievements in the crowd.

At this time the adoption group graduates to “friend” instead of “volunteer” status and the family is instructed to call the agency with any further problems, but call their friends for a visit.