Topic: Welcome Circles

Mar 23, 2023

The number of HIAS Welcome Circles in the United States has just reached 100. And there are more to come.  HIAS Welcome Circles are part of the private sponsorship model that allows for groups of individuals to independently raise funds and directly provide essential assistance to refugees.

Feb 13, 2023

In the wake of the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, St. Louisans from three faith communities came together to welcome a family of evacuees and help them get settled in the United States.

Feb 1, 2023

The Biden administration’s new Welcome Corps initiative represents a breakthrough in advancing private refugee sponsorship in the United States — but is by no means the first program of its kind in North America. The American initiative, according to HIAS President and CEO Mark Hetfield, in fact drew inspiration from a similar program in Canada.  

Jan 19, 2023

Welcome Corps, the first U.S. government program supporting private refugee sponsorship in nearly 40 years, will allow Americans to privately sponsor refugees from around the world.

Dec 15, 2022

The RUTH algorithm incorporates preferences from both refugees and HIAS Welcome Circle volunteers to enhance traditional resettlement practices.

Sep 14, 2022

Laura Medvedieva vividly remembers her harrowing journey from Kyiv in the days following the Russian invasion. “Nobody believed the war would really happen,” she said. “One day everything was normal and I was out painting with my friends. The next day we were forced to pack up and leave our home.”

Sep 9, 2022

When Mohammed and his family arrived in the U.S. last year after being evacuated from Afghanistan, they were assigned to a Welcome Circle: nine volunteers from a Baltimore-area synagogue tasked with helping them settle into a new life. The experience proved to be transformational for everyone involved.

Aug 15, 2022

In the year since the fall of Kabul, HIAS has resettled over 4,300 Afghans through the tireless efforts of its staff, resettlement partners, and volunteers. But the work to ensure that Afghan evacuees are able to build new lives in the U.S. is not finished yet.

May 25, 2022

Experts from HIAS and JFNA explained how individuals and communities can welcome those fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The May 23 webinar, “Welcome in Action: Jewish Community Support for Ukrainian Newcomers” also previewed the upcoming launch of HIAS Welcome Circles for Ukrainians.

Apr 29, 2022

After just a few months of living in the U.S., Afghans resettled by Welcome Circles are navigating how to observe Ramadan in their new homes – and Welcome Circles are learning how best to support them.