C-U Welcome

Hello,

We are "C-U Welcome" - a group of neighbors and friends who have joined together to welcome a refugee family to the Champaign-Urbana community. Organized as a Private Sponsorship Group under the new Welcome Corps initiative, our team is committed to sponsoring a refugee newcomer family by providing them a warm welcome and place of safety and security during their initial 3 months in the U.S.

Global displacement is at an all-time high, with 100 million people worldwide uprooted due to war, political or economic instability, and the impacts of natural disasters. In response to this need, "C-U Welcome" was formed to welcome a family of 4 refugees to our area. With our collective knowledge and passion, we are confident in our ability to provide the support required for a family, but we need your help.

During their first 90 days in the United States, our team will assist refugee newcomers with benefits, healthcare, education, housing, finances, and basic necessities as well as support as this family adjusts to life in the U.S. and resettles in our community. We are required to fundraise a minimum of $2,375 per privately sponsored refugee newcomer (total of $9,500). These funds will be used to secure and furnish housing and to provide for the refugee family's initial basic needs until they secure employment.

100% of the received funds (minus the 3% transaction fee charged by Go Fund Me) will be spent on supporting the family’s start-up and living expenses during their transition to independence in our community. We anticipate that most of it will go toward housing-related costs.

Thank you for your consideration in partnering with us to provide a refugee family of 4 a warm welcome to our C-U community!