Frequently
Asked Questions
Ah, the answers to everything! Take a look below to find answers to general questions about WelcomeNST, as well as application process questions, benefits and work questions, and any other questions about our program.
What is a Neighborhood Support Team?
A Neighborhood Support Team (or NST) is a volunteer group of 10-20 people who work together to welcome a refugee family into their community. Each team has 1-2 team leads who coordinate the efforts, and teams are organized by interest into subcommittees of people who fill specific roles (e.g., benefits, education, employment, etc.).
Neighborhood Support Teams raise money, find housing and officially commit to helping a family through their first 6-12 months of resettlement, but the friendships formed may last a lifetime!
Is WelcomeNST a 501(c)3?
Yes! Our 501(c)3 is registered as WelcomeNST, Inc. Our EIN is 85-1674143.
How is WelcomeNST funded?
WelcomeNST is 100% privately funded through grants and individual donations.
How will my donation be used?
Your donation will be used to register, train, and support new Neighborhood Support Teams around the country. Teams independently raise funds for the family they are welcoming by reaching out to their community. It is important to note that fundraising platforms (such as Classy) will charge their own transaction fees when donations are made.
Where does WelcomeNST fit in the big picture of resettlement?
WelcomeNST mentors private sponsorship teams who are working to help a refugee family resettle in their community. Our organization guides these groups as they prepare to support a family.
What is your goal as an organization? Why should I volunteer with you?
As thousands of families have landed on American soil seeking refuge from Afghanistan, Ukraine, Haiti, Venezuela and other countries over these last few years alone—only to be met with an overwhelmed resettlement system. Communities have joined the ranks of first responders by opening their homes, wallets, and lives to welcome the stranger. WelcomeNST is all about unleashing the power of community on the refugee crisis because we believe that the answer to this crisis lies in the unlimited potential of communities to help their neighbors.
What does WelcomeNST actually do?
We engage communities in the U.S. to form Neighborhood Support Teams (NSTs) to sponsor and welcome refugee families to America.
What roles do team members serve on a Neighborhood Support Team?
There is a wide range of roles and responsibilities to be divided up among team members. Housing, fundraising, employment, documentation, benefits, education, health, and transportation are some of the areas members can lead or serve. The varied opportunities mean that members can determine which role is best for them given their time, resources, and experience.
Can newcomers apply for Medicaid, SNAP, or cash assistance programs?
It depends on their status. Refugees are covered by federal programs and can receive Matching Grant, Refugee Cash and Medical Assistance, Preferred Communities, and Refugee Support Services, and can access federal assistance programs like TANF, SNAP, and SSI (if appropriate). Benefits for humanitarian parolees and asylum seekers have state specific eligibility.
Will newcomers arrive with ‘Right to Work’ documentation?
Yes. The I-94 that they receive upon arrival can be used for temporary work authorization for up to 90 days. NSTs will also need to assist the family in applying for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). This can be done by submitting an I-765. The fee will be waived. Those who come in through the asylum process can’t work until their EAD is granted through the I-765.
Will newcomers arrive with social security numbers?
They will not. Neighborhood Support Teams can assist the family in applying for SSN by using Part 2 of the I-765 application.
Who finds housing for the refugee family we sponsor?
Finding safe, sanitary, and affordable housing is one of the first and most important roles the Neighborhood Support Team. No one knows your community better than those who already live there… you! Our mentors will give you helpful guidance as you look for housing, but it will be your team who identifies the housing and arranges for the family to move in upon arrival.
Who is responsible for travel expenses related to relocating the family to the United States?
Most families we currently serve, including refugees coming in through Welcome Corps, are issued penalty-free and interest-free travel loans.
How long are Neighborhood Support Teams committing to officially support the newcomers?
We ask that all teams commit to a sponsorship period 6-12 months. That range represents the typical amount of time it takes for a newcomer family to become self-sufficient with the assistance of an Neighborhood Support Team.
Is there a path for permanent residency or citizenship for a family we sponsor?
It depends on the program. Those who come through Welcome Corps as refugees and those approved for asylum can apply to become lawful permanent residents after one year in the United States. They can apply for citizenship after having lawful permanent resident status for a certain number of years.
Will those who come in under humanitarian parole be required to leave the United States when their two- or three-year parole status is up?
Humanitarian parole is a temporary status by definition. Beneficiaries who have not been granted another status (such as asylum, re-parole, or Temporary Protected Status) are not legally allowed to remain in the United States when their humanitarian parole period ends.
What is the vetting process for newcomers?
All newcomers are subject to biographic and biometric security checks conducted by both USCIS and Customs and Border Patrol before they are granted travel authorization or paroled into the United States.
Can a team of people act as supporters of a refugee family?
Yes. A single individual must serve as the Team Lead, but we ask that at least five individuals be listed as core members of the Neighborhood Support Team.