
Resources for Community Partners and Sponsors
Cultural Orientation is a vital part of the resettlement process for newcomers resettling to the United States. The learning process of Cultural Orientation often begins overseas and continues upon arrival during the first 90 days and beyond. Welcoming communities, including community partners and sponsors (e.g. , co-sponsors, private sponsor groups, and sponsor circles) play an important role in delivering key Cultural Orientation messages. This page provides resources for community partners and sponsors, including materials to use with newcomers.
Featured Resource
Cultural Orientation Toolkit for Community Partners and Sponsors
Featured Resource
Cultural Orientation Toolkit for Community Partners and Sponsors
This toolkit teaches community partners and sponsors how to incorporate key Cultural Orientation messages while providing direct resettlement services to newcomers during their first 90 days. The toolkit provides guidance on how to incorporate Cultural Orientation messages into 25 early resettlement services. Integrating Cultural Orientation throughout the service period will help newcomers retain the information that is essential to adapt to their new lives and achieve self-sufficiency. Sponsors may use the CO activities checklist to track which activities group members facilitate.
Defining Community Partners and Sponsors
IMAGE CAROUSEL
What’s the difference between a community partner and a sponsor?
Slide Content
What’s the difference between a community partner and a sponsor?
The term community partner refers to organizations or individuals outside of the local resettlement agency that support newcomers, including but not limited to public safety workers, public assistance workers, educators, and healthcare professionals.
The term sponsor refers to community groups that provide direct resettlement services and financial support to newcomers as they resettle into their new communities. These groups may sponsor newcomers in collaboration with Resettlement Agencies, through the Sponsor Circle Program, or through private sponsorship groups, as a part of the Welcome Corps program.
Photo Credit: E Fichtner/IRC
What is the Sponsor Circle Program?
The Sponsor Circle Program is a community-led resettlement initiative that allows everyday Americans to take on the responsibility of welcoming specific newcomer groups to their communities. The program is an emergency response launched to ensure that all arriving newcomers receive welcome and support. The Sponsor Circle Program pairs newcomers from specific countries with community groups eager to provide support. Learn more about the Sponsor Circle Program here.
Photo Credit: Andrew Oberstadt /IRC
What is the Welcome Corps?
The Welcome Corps is a new program that empowers everyday Americans to come together to privately sponsor refugees. Through Welcome Corps, Americans can apply to form Private Sponsor Groups (PSGs) to welcome refugees into local communities and directly assist refugee newcomers as they build new lives in the United States. Learn more about Welcome Corps here.
Photo Credit: Andrew Oberstadt /IRC
What is the role of the Resettlement Agency?
Sponsorship has long existed in the United States. However, since the Refugee Act of 1980, Resettlement Agencies have played a formal and critical role in the provision of early resettlement services. As such, CORE’s resources reference the Resettlement Agency (or case manager) as the primary service provider.
When not sponsoring newcomers in collaboration with Resettlement Agencies, you are responsible to provide all early resettlement services. However, the Resettlement Agency may provide integration services to eligible newcomers. To avoid confusion, clarify your role and the role of the Resettlement Agency with newcomers.
Photo Credit: Sarah Stacke/IRC
Resources for Community Partners
The Community Partner fact sheets support educators, law enforcement, and state public assistance staff in incorporating key Cultural Orientation messages in their service provision. The fact sheets include tips for effective service delivery, example Cultural Orientation messages relevant to the community partner, and an example activity showing how community partners can incorporate these key Cultural Orientation messages into interactions with newcomers. While the resources contain general information for each service provider, community partners may want to add community-specific information and resources.
K-12 Educators
Law Enforcement
State Public Assistance Workers
Resources for Sponsors
Once you complete the mandatory trainings required to be certified and serve as a sponsor, you should:

Sponsorship Orientation

Onboarding Checklist for Sponsors

Cultural Exchange Activities

Sign Up for CORE’s Newsletter
Resources for Newcomers
The term newcomer includes refugees, Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders, and humanitarian parolees. Community partners and sponsors should review and share CORE’s Settle In resources with newcomers. Be sure to explore these resources before introducing them to newcomers. This will help you answer their questions. Newcomers can access CORE’s multilingual Settle In resources through a website, app, and social media.

Settle In Website

Settle In App

Settle In for Afghans

Settle In for Ukrainians
Additional Resources
- Community Sponsorship Hub: Information about all forms of sponsorship
- Refugee Welcome Collective: Training for sponsors
- Sponsor Circles: Sponsor Circle Program
- Welcome.US: Sponsorship portal
- Welcome Corps: Information on private sponsorship
- CORE: Learn more about refugee populations resettling in the United States
- Refugee Processing Center: Directory of local Resettlement Agencies
- Switchboard: Who are the Afghan Newcomers?
- Switchboard: Explore more resources for serving Afghan evacuees
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services: Uniting for Ukraine
- Switchboard: Uniting for Ukraine Support Line
- International Rescue Committee (IRC): Introduction to Case management for Refugee Service Providers
- Switchboard: What Can We Do to Protect Clients and Staff? Tips for Getting Started with Safeguarding and Protection
- Switchboard: Guide: Trauma-Informed Care: Movement Towards Practice
- Switchboard: Guide: Cultural Competence in Refugee Service Settings: Guidance for Service Providers Based on a Scoping Review of the Literature
- CORE: Working with Interpreters
- Switchboard: Introduction to Working with Interpreters
- Bridging Refugee Youth & Children’s Services (Brycs): Information hub for empowering immigrant children and their families
- Switchboard: Toolkit: Supporting Afghan Students in Schools & Youth Programs in the United States