A Congregation of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Serving Christ in the Greater New Bern Area

in Eastern North Carolina

 

 

What is Sponsorship?
 
Before a refugee can resettle in the United States, there must be a sponsor here who will assist the refugee in his new life in this country.  A sponsor can be a local church, a civic organization, a relative or friend.
 
Local Church sponsorship provides many advantages over other forms of sponsorship.  Refugees adjust more easily to their new community through the loving and supportive environment of a congregation and the personal care of many individuals.
 
We ask sponsors to offer their prayers and friendship, and to help with the immediate needs of the family.  these needs include: housing and furnishings, clothing, food, medical exams, transportation, jobs and language training.
 
~Most of all, we ask the sponsor to guide the refugee to self-sufficiency in four months.
 
Sponsorship is a moral commitment, not a legal one.  It is a unique partnership with Interfaith Refugee Ministry, where both parties ensure that the refugee is provided with the basics needed during initial resettlement.  Sponsorship is a real "hands-on" mission that will bring joy and meaning to those in your church organization.
 

What Can You Do?
 
Interfaith Refugee Ministry needs volunteers and donations to continue the ministry of refugee resettlement.  Your involvement can be tailored to your personal lifestyle.  Choices for individual or group participation are:
 
  • Full Sponsorship:  Provide food, housing, furnishings, clothing, medical, jobs, language training and transportation assistance for four months or until refugee is self-sufficient.  Costs will vary, but $3,000 - $3,500 should do it.
 
  • Joint Sponsorship:  Join with another church or group to provide resettlement services and financial assistance.
 
  • Mary & Joseph Packs:  Collect a basic-needs pack for a family.
 
  • Cash Donations:  A typical case has monthly expenses averaging $700.  Checks should be made payable to Interfaith Refugee Ministry.  Donations are tax deductible.
 
  • Other Donations:  Cars, bikes, household items, vacuum cleaners, furniture and computers are all valuable donations, if in good working condition.
 
"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for in so doing, some have entertained angels unawares."
                                                                                                           ~ Hebrews 13:2
 
"I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me..."
                                                                                                           ~ Matthew 25:35
 

Mary and Joseph Packs
 
Remembering that Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus were refugees in Egypt, we call a first-month survival Kit for refugee families a "Mary and Joseph Pack."  Basic items needed upon arrival for a family of four are:
 
Basic Kitchen Pack:
1 set of dishes for 4                                        1 set cooking bowls
1 set of pots/pans                                           4 drinking glasses
1 box cleanser                                                1 dust pan/brush
1 broom/mop                                                 cutting knives
1 can opener                                                  salt/pepper shakers
1 box scouring pads                                       sponges, dishcloths
d/w detergent                                                 laundry detergent
silverware for 4                                              cooking utensils
dish detergent                                                 bleach
window cleaner                                              all-purpose cleaner
coffee pot & filters                                         dishtowels
6 rolls paper towels                                        1 package napkins
1 box plastic bags                                           4 placemats
1 box aluminum foil                                         1 box plastic wrap
5lbs. Sugar                                                     1 box wax paper
1 pound coffee                                               1 box teabags
1 bottle vegetable oil                                       5 lbs. rice
1 box salt                                                       1 can black pepper
Wal-Mart gift card ($50)                                5lbs. Flour
Baking pans                                                    Crushed red pepper
 
Personal Supply Pack:
1 set sheets/pillow cases for double bed
2 sets sheets/pillow cases for single beds
1 double blanket                                              2 twin blankets
4 bath towels                                                   4 hand towels
4 washcloths                                                    4 pillows
6 rolls paper towels                                         8 bars of bath soap
12 rolls toilet tissue                                          4 boxes facial tissues
4 toothbrushes                                                dental floss
2 bottles shampoo                                           1 bottle conditioner
2 tubes toothpaste                                           1 bottle Tylenol
1 bottle Asprin                                                 1 box of Band-Aids
1 bottle of alcohol                                            1 package cotton balls
1 bottle of peroxide                                          15 disposable razors
2 deoderants                                                    2 bottles hand lotion
Wal-Mart gift card ($50)