In Eagan, Minnesota, Tina Rexing, the owner of T-Rex Cookie bakery, expresses her anti-woke sentiments as a conservative Republican who proudly carries a handgun. Despite her views, she is one of over 125,000 Americans supporting refugee resettlement programs like Uniting for Ukraine and Welcome Corps, which allow ordinary people to sponsor refugees fleeing persecution. Rexing, although not a sponsor, donates essential goods to recently arrived Ukrainian families, believing in conservative values where newcomers contribute to society.
The 2024 general election placed immigration at the forefront of America’s culture wars, highlighting the divide between liberals and conservatives. However, private sponsorship programs show promise in bridging this gap, appealing to both groups to support refugee resettlement in their communities. Rexing’s involvement was initiated by her liberal attorney, who has sponsored numerous Ukrainian families alongside his wife. These programs attract ordinary people interested in providing assistance to those in need, regardless of political affiliation.
Community sponsorship has also engaged individuals like Barb Stermer, a retired resident of Nokomis Square Cooperative in Minneapolis, who previously refrained from political activism. With newfound time, she joined a circle of co-sponsors to assist in welcoming a refugee family to the neighborhood. The group’s efforts illustrate the desire to give back and address the broken immigration system in the U.S., emphasizing the importance of community support in helping refugees integrate into society.
In Canada, private sponsorship of refugees has been successful for decades, offering newcomers a support system that aids in their economic integration. Research shows that sponsored refugees in Canada have higher employment rates and wages compared to government-assisted refugees, underlining the benefits of community support. In the U.S., refugees with sponsors also experience better outcomes, showcasing the impact of local advice and social networks in aiding their adjustment to a new environment.
Former refugee Robsan Yusuf, now a sponsor himself, emphasizes the importance of giving back to the community that supported him. With a network of fellow Ethiopian refugees, Yusuf sponsors Mathias Shimirimana from Congo, highlighting the shared experience and understanding among refugees. The power of storytelling and collective generosity within refugee communities helps newcomers navigate the challenges of resettlement and form connections in their new environment.
The Protez Foundation, founded by Ukrainian American Yakov Gradinar, aids Ukrainian refugees who have suffered limb loss during the war with Russia. Through sponsorship and rehabilitation efforts, families like Oksana Shpakovych and Svetlana Ashykhmina find solace and support in their new community. The compassionate response from American sponsors reflects a sense of kinship and shared humanity, transcending partisan divides and fostering a spirit of generosity and solidarity.
Sharon and Mark Norlander, semi-retired French teachers, sponsor a second Ukrainian family, extending their support to include Vadym and Liubov Holiuk and their relatives. The emotional reunion at the airport signifies a new chapter for the Holiuks, enabled by the Norlanders’ sponsorship and care. Their journey exemplifies the transformative impact of community support in helping refugees start afresh and contribute to their new home. Through small acts of kindness and tangible assistance, individuals across the political spectrum come together to make a difference in the lives of refugees.
