The Town of Branford is preparing to welcome a family of refugees sometime in 2021 or early 2022. FCCB is taking a leading roll in the resettlement effort, but will not do the work alone. Many other churches and secular organizations are joining us to do this important work. The town-wide effort to support our new neighbors is called "Helping Famiies Settle."
These are specific ways to help our new family when they arrive, if you are interested in volunteering or providing financial support please reach out to Rev. Joe.
Administrative Contact Person
Ensures that each committee does required documentation
Collects required forms and submits them to IRIS
Fundraising Coordinator(s)
Spearhead the effort to raise $7,000-$12,000, primarily for 3-6 months of rental assistance
Housing Committee
Identify neighborhoods that are accessible to public transportation and other resources
Navigate the rental market, to identify 2-4BR affordable apartments
Identify landlords amenable to renting to a newly arriving refugee family
Upon notification of family arrival date, negotiate a one-year lease and secure the apartment
Connect utilities
Help the family develop a working relationship with landlord & address any issues that arise
Apartment Set-Up Committee
Collect required furniture & household items (based on IRIS checklist)
Stock fridge & pantry with groceries and staples prior to family’s arrival
Welcome Point Person(s)
Meet family at designated arrival point (IRIS office in New Haven, JFK, or Newark airport)
Obtain and bring appropriate clothing for the weather
Arrange for an interpreter to accompany you to the arrival point & the family’s apartment
Arrange for preparation of a culturally appropriate hot meal for arrival day
Interpreter Point Person(s)
Recruit interpreters who speak the most common languages among newly arriving refugees (currently, Swahili, Dari/Farsi, Pashto, Arabic); do not need to be professional interpreters
Determine if interpreters will serve on a volunteer basis or receive compensation
Schedule interpreters for important meetings/appointments (especially arrival, initial intake,
employment and financial meetings)
Healthcare Committee
Accompany each refugee to a Refugee Health Assessment (RHA) within 30 days of arrival (either at the Yale Refugee Clinic, or IRIS can help you identify RHA providers in your area)
Identify primary care and mental health providers in area who are accepting new patients with HUSKY/Medicaid and who provide interpreters.
Accompany refugees to first appointments with primary care providers and any specialists necessary for follow up
Empower refugee adults to navigate the healthcare system and advocate for themselves as patients: make appointments, request interpreters with medical providers, take public transportation, or request rides when necessary
Assist with urgent or emergency medical needs
Finance Committee
Identify a non-profit entity to serve as a fiduciary for holding co-sponsorship funds
Identify an entity within the group or affiliated with the group to co-sign the apartment lease
Develop a co-sponsorship budget, including funds by raised co-sponsor & federal
“Reception & Placement” funds for the family
Oversee resettlement disbursements
Help family access public assistance, primarily through CT Dept of Social Services (DSS):
food stamps (SNAP), HUSKY (Medicaid), Temporary Family Assistance (TFA)
identify & help family access local resources: e.g., food pantries, diaper banks, etc.
Develop and coach family on household budget & managing resources (for rent, utilities,
food, transportation, & other living expenses); help family develop a system for paying bills
Education Committee
Learn the school registration process and school resources for English Language Learners before the family arrives
Find free local ESOL classes for adults and help to arrange childcare (through Childcare Point Person) and/or early childhood education programs for toddlers
Register kids for school and adults in ESOL classes
Help families navigate public school bus pick-ups & drop-offs
Act as liaison with public schools that children attend
Education Committee
Learn the school registration process and school resources for English Language Learners before the family arrives
Find free local ESOL classes for adults and help to arrange childcare (through Childcare Point Person) and/or early childhood education programs for toddlers
Register kids for school and adults in ESOL classes
Help families navigate public school bus pick-ups & drop-offs
Act as liaison with public schools that children attend
Public Transportation & Community Orientation Point Person(s)
Research & learn to navigate local public transportation before family arrives
teach family how to use public transportation (fares, payment, entering and exiting
procedures) and how to navigate routes
Show family members how to get to important locations: ESOL classes, health clinics,
grocery stores, laundromat, post office, food pantries, public library, etc.
Ride Coordinator(s) (for initial appointments and needs that cannot be met by public transit)
Identify a list of volunteer drivers willing to take refugees to initial appointments (Refugee
Health Assessment, DSS, Social Security office, DMV, job interviews, Cultural Orientation
at IRIS, & locations not accessible by public transportation)
Collect copies of drivers’ licenses and insurance cards for all volunteer drivers
Reach out to volunteer drivers when family or another committee identifies a transportation
need. Obtain driver and notify requester
Cultural Orientation Point Person(s)
Ensure family attends the federally required orientation program at IRIS
Teach the family the basics about living in the US: grocery shopping, clothes laundering,
banking, etc.
Teach family how to operate all mechanical aspects of their home including plumbing,
electrical appliances and lights, security, maintenance expectations
Discuss U.S. norms for hygiene and dress, especially as it relates to job interviews
Employment Committee
Identify potential employment opportunities before the family arrives
Ensure that all employable adults do an employment assessment and create a resume
Assist with job searches, applications, and the interview process
Once employed, offer support to foster job retention
Childcare Point Person(s)
Research & help family access regular childcare resources (e.g., Care4Kids)
Develop a list of volunteers who will provide childcare during adult appointments and in
emergencies
Schedule & coordinate childcare volunteers as needs arise