Humanism in Action: Ukrainian Refugee Sponsorship Program @ SECULAR SATURDAY

Want to be part of a HumanistsMN sponsorship team to support a Ukrainian refugee (individual or family) re-settling here in Minnesota? Come to this informational session to hear about this vital undertaking and find out what's involved to build a team of support! The decision to move ahead or not will depend upon level of interest and capacity. See below for further information about refugee sponsorship.

HMN member Bob Aderhold has been helping to spearhead such a project at First Unitarian Society (FUS) -- a humanist congregation -- and would like to extend this opportunity to HumanistsMN. If there is not enough support to build our own team, interested folks may be able to join an FUS team.

The presentation and discussion take place from 3:00—4:30. Afterwards, we'll join other Secular Saturday attendees in the gallery for refreshments and socializing.

The US government has created a pathway for Ukrainians to come to the U.S. for an initial two-year period. But first they must have a sponsor in the U.S. who agrees to support and help them get on their feet during their stay. Alight, formerly the American Refugee Committee, is working under the auspices of federal and state agencies to find sponsors for refugee families arriving here in Minnesota.

Typically, the sponsorship team will find donated housing (e.g. available space in a team member's home) or rent an Airbnb for the refugee(s) for approximately two months until they can get connected with needed services and established enough to find their own housing and work. Alight provides a case manager to each Ukrainian family and their sponsorship team to provide training, guidance, and support.

Other responsibilities of the sponsorship team include fundraising, taking family members to appointments, shopping, getting children enrolled in school, helping them get tapped into federal and state resources for healthcare, etc. Financial support can range from $5000 - $10,000.

This event is sponsored by HumanistsMN. If you are not yet a member, please consider joining to help us cover our costs and build the humanist movement. Not ready to join? Donations are gratefully accepted! Join or donate at https://humanistsmn.org/