Love your neighbor as yourself.    Matthew 22:39

Since The Welcoming Project was formed in 2021, we have saved the lives of 18 people. 

We have resettled three Syrian families who had spent more than 12 years as refugees in Jordan or Lebanon. The first of these families pays it forward by helping with the newer arrivals. 

A hallmark of our group of volunteers is our intention to make ourselves and our community more welcoming. Our volunteers are Christians, Jews, and Muslims, representing many different faith-based groups, as well as those who are not affiliated. 

What do we do? Our volunteers do all the work professional case workers would otherwise do. We secure temporary and long-term housing, assist with employment, medical, transportation, financial, recreational, social, educational and case management supports the family requires for a safe and productive resettlement in the United States. We journey  alongside these families as they work toward self-sufficiency usually over 90 days. 

We also form relationships with these families. We work with them in a way that helps them take responsibility for their own lives. 

We welcomed the most recent family on January 15, 2025, just days before the United States shut its doors to refugees. Our work with them is underway and additional volunteers are needed to provide transportation and to assist with employment and other activities essential to the family’s well-being.

We also need your support for a new opportunity. We are stepping up to resettle our Afghan Allies. With federal funding cuts to resettlement agencies, private sponsor groups like ours are only viable means of supporting them. After the US pulled out from Afghanistan, those who helped the US military fled their homeland. They are now facing imminent deportations in Pakistan and Albania. These Afghan allies in the US need critical support from private sponsor groups like ours. Sponsor Circle, a national nonprofit (sponsor circle.org), is vetting and matching groups. We are honored that Sponsor Circle has certified our group to welcome and support one of these Afghan families who has sacrificed so much for our country. The group is currently waiting for a match. Once this occurs, a family may arrive in Connecticut very quickly. 

Volunteers are needed to assist with the Syrian family and potentially with new Afghan arrivals. 

Naturally we need financial resources. Please help as you can with donations and fundraising. 

Simsbury United Methodist Church serves as our 501(c)3 organization. Tax deductible donations to support this work can be made to Simsbury United Methodist Church 799 Hopmeadow St. Simsbury, CT. 06070.  Please indicate on your donation “Refugee” so 100% of your donation goes to our resettlement efforts.