Welcoming Refugees

Circle of Welcome increases successful integration of refugee families arriving in the U.S. by creating meaningful ways for faith and community groups to engage with and walk alongside refugee families in service, friendship, and as advocates.

The program was started by Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, a national organization transforming U.S. communities by ensuring that newcomers are not only self-sufficient but also become connected and contributing members of their adopted communities.

Our Circle of Welcome Team and Mentor programs provide groups with different options for engagement. The first, the Circle of Welcome Team, is the more traditional format. A group pledges monetary and in-person support for six months for a family arriving in Minnesota. The second is our Circle of Welcome Mentor Program. This option comes with a more flexible monetary commitment and is offered over a shorter length of time. Also, mentors are paired with individuals or couples, rather than full families. 

The partnership between the local resettlement organization, volunteers and the refugees, themselves, reinforces the long welcome as an essential component to the refugee's successful integration.

If you are interested in learning more about Circle of Welcome, please contact us.