Welcoming Week Spotlight: The Experiences of an ACC Co-Sponsorship Team
Members of the ISD Co-Sponsorship Team greeting and picking up their matched family from the airport in April (Faces have been blurred for privacy and safety purposes).
At the heart of Welcoming Week, we celebrate the incredible stories of connection, support, and shared growth between newly-arrived refugee families and the dedicated volunteers and community supporters who welcome them. Welcoming Week is an annual initiative that brings communities together to foster meaningful relationships and create a sense of belonging for everyone, no matter their background. This year’s theme, "We’re All In," invites us all to unite in celebration of our diversity and strengths, emphasizing that we thrive most when we come together as one.
We’re thrilled to spotlight a co-sponsorship team from the International School of Denver (ISD) that has spent the past few months partnered with a refugee family of three from Eritrea, helping them navigate the many challenges of starting a new life in America—and building lifelong friendships in the process.
Through co-sponsorship, new refugee families are paired with groups of at least 7 trained volunteers who provide clearly defined financial contributions, in-kind donations, and other support for at least 6 months to assist in the family's integration into their new life in Denver.
“I believe our connection with this family will be lifelong. This experience is ongoing, and as they become more independent, our support is gradually shifting.”
When the family arrived in the U.S. in April of this year, the transition seemed overwhelming. Learning a new language, adjusting to cultural differences, and navigating unfamiliar systems are all daunting tasks. However, from the very beginning, this co-sponsorship team, consisting of members from 11 different families, embraced their role, providing not only practical support but also a warm, welcoming presence for the newcomer family.
Some of this practical support has included helping the family find an apartment, teaching them to buy bus passes and deposit checks at the bank, assisting with enrolling their 15-year-old in high school, and so much more. They’ve also organized backyard BBQs where everyone can relax, enjoy each other’s company, play outdoor games, and share their favorite American and African dishes with each other!
Some of the ISD co-sponsor team members took the family to a Colorado Rockies game, where they got to experience riding the Light Rail for the first time and indulging in classic baseball game snacks. On another fun summer day, they enjoyed an outing at the park where the volunteers helped teach the family how to ride bikes! Lyndsay, a Co-Sponsor Team Lead, says this was one of her favorite days so far and recalls, “It’s not easy to learn [to ride a bike] and it took more than that afternoon for them to get it, but we had a lot of fun trying!”
This story is a reminder that Welcoming Week is not just about helping newcomers—it’s about building bridges and fostering community. The co-sponsorship team and the refugee family have grown together, learning from one another and creating connections that will last a lifetime.
As we celebrate Welcoming Week, let’s be inspired by the power of compassion, empathy, and shared community. It’s through these small, everyday acts of kindness and support that we create a more inclusive and welcoming community for all.
Thank you to the incredible co-sponsorship team from ISD for all you have done in supporting this newly arrived family and making Denver feel more like home to them!
“This experience has far exceeded my expectations. While there were certainly some challenges, such as finding an apartment, the reward of helping a family settle into a new country has made it all worthwhile. ”
Click here to learn more about our Co-Sponsorship Program.
Written by Lila Swope, Development & Communications