March marked the 12th anniversary of the Syrian Civil War, from where more than 12 million people have been forced from their homes. This includes more than 5.6 million who have sought refuge in neighboring countries; primarily Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan. Syria remains the #1 contributor to an already historic humanitarian crisis, which now totals more than 100 million displaced people; including over 32 million refugees!

That same month we welcomed an extended Syrian family of nine. This includes a family of three (Father 35, Mother 36, and a son 2yrs). The mother arrived pregnant, and is due in November!  A family of five (Father 47yrs, Mother 33yrs, two sons ages 16yrs and 14yrs, and a daughter 11yrs). And a single man, 31yrs). The Father of three, the mother of five and the single man are siblings. After experiencing frightful violence, fled Syria, and resided in/around Istanbul Turkey before resettling in the US.

They arrive at a time when community sponsorship is becoming a more permanent part of refugee resettlement in the US. Since 2016 we have called it Community Co-sponsorship; a collaborative effort between a specialized nonprofit agency, a group of local volunteers, and a refugee family.