Phase 4: Matching & Sponsorship

During this phase, you will welcome your new neighbors and follow your detailed Welcome Plan – arranging housing, assisting with basic needs, enrolling children in school, introducing the family to the local community, and much more.

Phase 4 also includes:

Communities of Practice: We require our teams to have at least one member attend monthly Communities of Practice calls. Information forthcoming on Communities of Practice regular meeting days/times.
Monthly Check-In: We host monthly check-ins with each team, where the team lead and other team members join a call with EMM. During these calls, we reflect on successes and challenges, troubleshoot together, and debrief your 30-Day, 90-Day, and 180-Day Reports.
Ad hoc support: You may reach out to Neighbor to Neighbor staff at any time with questions, concerns, and for technical assistance.

30, 90, and 180-Day Reports: These reports allow you to track your activities and progress toward certain objectives and allow EMM to learn where we can provide you and other teams additional support.
- 30-Day Report: Word Doc | Online Form – make sure to submit your report via the Online Form.
- 90-Day Report: Word Doc | Online Form – make sure to submit your report via the Online Form.
- 180-Day Report: Word Doc | Online Form – make sure to submit your report via the Online Form.

We regularly update this webpage in response to questions and contributions from NtN teams. Never hesitate to reach out to help us improve this webpage for current and future teams.

Sponsorship Resources by Topic

Anti-Racist & Trauma-Informed Sponsorship

Community Sponsorship and Allyship
Cultural Competence on Afghan Culture
Being Culturally & Trauma-Informed While Assisting Displaced Afghan Families
EMM Neighbor to Neighbor training video: Practicing Anti-Racism with The Very Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas
EMM Neighbor to Neighbor training video: Trauma-Informed Care: Part 1
EMM Neighbor to Neighbor training video: Trauma-Informed Care: Part 2
EMM Neighbor to Neighbor training video: Cultural Competence
Resources from the Jewish Federation on the impact of trauma on older adults
- How to Provide Person-Centered, Trauma-Informed Care for Older Refugees (January 2021). This webinar reviews how person-centered, trauma-informed care can be implemented to support the health and well-being of older refugees.
  - Download Deck
  - Watch Recording
- Asking the Difficult Questions: Preventing Re-traumatization During Client Intake, Interviews, and Applications (February 2017). This webinar reviews how to conduct intake, interviews, and applications of older adults with a history of trauma in a person-centered, trauma-informed way.
  - Download Deck
  - Watch Recording
- The Impact of Trauma on the Body and Brain (May 2019). This webinar reviews the consequences of trauma on the body and brain, and provides best practices to promote health and well-being in older adults with a history of trauma.
  - Download Deck
  - Watch Recording
- Health and Trauma Factsheet. This factsheet provides key statistics on the prevalence of trauma in the United States and how trauma affects the mental, physical, and cognitive health of older adults. Read more
- Aging and Trauma Factsheet. This factsheet provides key statistics on how trauma impacts the aging process of older adults. Read more
- Family Caregiving and Trauma Factsheet. This factsheet provides key statistics on family caregivers and the impact of trauma on caregiving relationships. Read more
Resources on active listening

Budgeting & Finance

Cultural Orientation

Cultural Orientation Training & Resources
This Afghan Cultural Backgrounder contains historical, political, and cultural information intended to cultivate a general understanding of Afghans who are arriving to the U.S.

Employment

Resume Template
UpGlo (Upwardly Global)
The Welcome.US Employment Exchange is a free and easy-to-use job platform designed to help refugees find employment opportunities easier and faster.

English Language Learning

English Language Learning: This document provides a list of resources for formal, informal, and online English language learning.

Housing & Home Essentials

Legal Support & Government Documents

VECINA webinar: Afghan Asylum Interview Orientation – English
The new Welcome Legal Alliance (a partnership between VECINA, HRF, the Immigration Justice Campaign and the ABA Commission on Immigration) recently launched a free “Ask the Experts” email hotline for Afghan affirmative asylum questions. The platform is accessible via the Welcome Legal Alliance Resources and Toolkit web page or Google form here. Attorneys and accredited representatives should expect a response from an expert within two (2) business days. Submission guidelines are linked near the top of the Google form.
Afghan Family Reunification:
- EMM 11/2/22 webinar recording
- EMM 11/2/22 webinar PPT slides
- To access EMM NEO Family Reunification information and processes, please email [email protected]
- U.S. Department of State Family Reunification for Afghans webpage
- U.S. Department of State Afghanistan Inquiries webpage
Afghan Newcomer Documents & Troubleshooting
Public Charge: The 1, 2, 3s of Public Charge
Public Charge: Does Public Charge Apply to Me?
Free or Low-Cost Immigration Legal Services

Media

Mental Health

Mental Health Awareness (from Sponsor Circle Program)

Miscellaneous

EMM Immigration Status & Eligibility for Government Assistance
EAD and SSN Guidance
Switchboard Technical Assistancefor service providers
KAYAK Humanitarian Leadership Academy – online courses
FindHello is a free service finder app that connects asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrants to resources in communities nationwide.

Planning/Team Organization

Sponsor Circle Guide for Afghans
Sample Sponsor Circle Structure
Sponsor Circle Checklist
Fundraising Guide
GUIDANCE FOR SUPPORTING NEWCOMERS
End of Sponsorship FAQ and Transition Checklist
Managing Expectations
Roles and Responsibilities: This document clarifies the roles and responsibilities of, and the relationship between, the Sponsor Circle Umbrella (i.e. EMM’s Neighbor to Neighbor program) and Sponsor Circle.
Frequently Asked Questions: Find answers to the most commonly asked questions about Sponsor Circles here.

Reports

30-Day Report: Word Doc | Online Form – make sure to submit your report via the Online Form.
90-Day Report: Word Doc | Online Form – make sure to submit your report via the Online Form.
180-Day Report: Word Doc | Online Form – make sure to submit your report via the Online Form.