Program lets locals sponsor refugees, help them settle in Ga.

Welcome Corps marks new phase for resettlement process.

With levels of global displacement reaching record highs, the U.S. has unveiled a new mechanism to welcome refugees into the country, let- ting private citizens sponsor newcomers looking to resettle in their communities.

The pilot program, dubbed Welcome Corps, marks the beginning of a new phase for the country’s refugee reset- tlement process, which has traditionally relied on government-funded nonprofits.

In recent decades, metro

Atlanta residents have seen the arrival of refugees fleeing oppression and war transform parts of the metro area, most notably the town of Clarkston in Dekalb County. Starting this year, they can join everyday Americans across the coun- try in financially assisting and directly sponsoring refugees seeking resettlement.

In Welcome Corps’ first year, the U.S. State Department hopes to recruit 10,000 spon- sors and help 5,000 refugees.

Groups of at least five U.S. citizens or permanent resi- dents can apply to sponsor newcomers. They will need to raise $2,275 for each per- son they plan on supporting. With that money, sponsors commit to helping refugees through their first 90 days here, which can include securing housing and covering food expenses, among other basic needs. Additional responsibilities for sponsors would include greeting refugees at the airport, help- ing children enroll in school and helping adults find jobs.

The first step to becoming a sponsor is to attend an infor- mational webinar. Sessions are held weekly on Thursdays. Those interested in attending can register for one at welcomecorps.org/get-started.