Now forming NSTs to support immigrant neighbors
What is an NST?
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An NST is a small team of 2+ people who bring their solidarity and support to a newcomer family or community. No special skills are needed—just a few neighbors and a shared commitment to welcome the stranger.
Primary Goal for All NSTs ​
The primary goal of every NST is to form authentic, lasting relationships—welcoming newcomers into your home, visiting them in theirs, sharing meals and traditions, and including one another in your lives. This is where the magic happens.
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NST Practical Support may include:
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Accompanying the family to important appointments
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Helping connect them to practical supports, such as skills, financial literacy or English training, food assistance, better jobs or transportation
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Attending Know Your Rights or Preparation trainings together
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Working alongside them to overcome other barriers to self-reliance
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Two Neighborhood Support Team Models
Family NSTs (time commitment: 3-6 months)
We form Family NSTs by working with our partners to identify refugee and immigrant families who are doing everything they can to reach self-reliance and begin to thrive, but need help overcoming specific barriers. Together with families and partners, we identify specific goals, then find good neighbors willing to walk alongside them to help them move forward.
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Goals: These are customized to each family’s needs, but may include securing better employment, improving English, accessing transportation or job skills training, or accompanying them to important legal appointments.
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Community NSTs (time commitment: 3-6 months)
We form Community NSTs by connecting immigrant-led churches seeking support (CSS) with a supporting community—either a sister church or a group of local neighbors. Together, they wrap around the newcomer church and its congregation with four goals:
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Legal Support: Thanks to our partner, Immigrant Connection, we provide free legal consults for anyone within the CSS
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Preparation Training: This NST holds trainings for the entire CSS to help them lawfully prepare for the possibility of immigration enforcement contact, centered on our “Preparation Playbook.”
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Practical Support: Community NSTs work together to provide practical support as needed, such as food collection, distribution, and accomopaniment to appointments.
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Individual Family Help: They also wraps around specific families whom pastors identify as needing a little extra love.
Active Programs
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We currently have three active programs in strategic cities across the country and are continually expanding. If you don’t see your city but are interested in receiving updates, let us know and we’ll reach out to you.
GREATER BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
Given the large Haitian population and expansive network of churches in Boston, WelcomeNST is forming Community NSTs here, matching churches seeking support with those who want to add their solidarity and support to their immigrant neighbors.
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If you’re interested in learning more, let us know and we’ll reach out to you.
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SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH
In partnership with the Utah Refugee Connection (URC) and the Refugee Services Office (RSO), WelcomeNST is forming Family NSTs in Salt Lake City to walk alongside refugee families who have lost support due to budget cuts.
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We are currently expanding this program and seeking new team leads.
If you’re interested in learning more, let us know and we’ll reach out to you.
ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA
In partnership with NOVA RAFT and Women for Afghan Women, WelcomeNST has launched a new program to form Family NSTs for vulnerable Afghan families who have lost support and urgently need the superpower of community to welcome those on the outside to the inside.
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If you’re interested, let us know and we’ll reach out to you.
Expanded Focus
Historically, our focus has been on helping refugee families at risk abroad find refuge in the U.S. We've now expanded that focus to offer refuge to refugees and immigrants who have arrived in the U.S. legally yet are at risk.
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Good neighbors across the country have shown us that the superpower of community is to welcome someone from the outside—where their struggle is theirs alone—to the inside, where their struggle becomes our struggle. Every step we take to love our neighbors expands our hearts, strengthens our communities, and reminds us who we are as Americans.
Get started today!​
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Raise your hand to learn more about forming an NST
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We’ll reach out to you to schedule a time to meet on Zoom and answer all your questions
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Find a friend to join you
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Meet your WelcomeNST Specialist who will walk you through the next steps to forming your NST
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Get matched with a family or faith community and get started!
NST Requirements​
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Create your team of 2 or more individuals and complete your NST Application
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Complete the required NST trainings
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Submit your background checks and sign the Code of Conduct
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Commit to 3-6 months of support, offering friendship and practical support as guided by WelcomeNST
