Why Co-Sponsor?

You want to be sure that families who have fled their countries due to persecution and war receive a warm welcome in the U.S. IRIS partners with people like you who form community groups throughout Connecticut to help refugees restart their lives. Community Co-sponsors play an integral role in helping them become self-sufficient and get off to a strong start. It’s a three-way collaboration with IRIS, your community group, and a refugee family. Contact us to learn more.

Resettlement progress

In a co-sponsorship, IRIS delegates most resettlement tasks to your group. Co-sponsors secure affordable housing, collect furniture and other household items, and help refugees access public benefits (HUSKY/Medicaid, SNAP/food stamps, and TFA/cash assistance for eligible families). Co-sponsors also enroll children in school, facilitate job searches, and perform other necessary tasks. IRIS looks forward to partnering with your community group in the tremendous mission of refugee resettlement!

Churches, synagogues, mosques and non-faith-based community groups have already answered the call to help refugees resettle throughout Connecticut. See where Co-sponsors have already welcomed families on the map to the left.

Want to become a sponsor?

Read the following materials:

SIGN UP for a Co-Sponsorship Orientation
Organize your group (See our template for resettlement teams and this sample committee structure).
Complete and submit a Co-sponsorship Application and send to [email protected] (See our Guide to Co-Sponsorship Application)
Attend Co-Sponsorship Training (Note: Group members can attend training prior to submitting the application).
Click Here for more information for Co-Sponsors (resources for moving from the Application Phase to the Green Light Phase of resettling a family).