Community Help for Newcomers

It takes a community to support a newcomer.   Assistance to them is much easier with many hands to make lighter work.   

There are several ways you can be a part of Freedom’s Haven and its work to assist newcomers to our state.   One way is simply to give.   There are many financial needs ranging from housing to sponsor supporters.   Click the donation button which will take you to our parent non-profit South Dakota Community Foundation where you can donate directly to Freedom’s Haven.

Give to the work of Freedom's Haven

One of the most pressing needs of any newcomer is temporary housing.   Another is translation for Ukrainians not yet fluent in English.   In addition, for those willing to sponsor a Ukrainian under the Uniting for Ukraine program, many times the sponsor needs additional support from churches, non-profits or individuals.   This is simply an asset that is pledged in support of the Ukrainian beneficiary(s) listed in the Uniting for Ukraine form.   Together with the sponsor’s pledged assets, the combined support can be equal to or greater than the minimum needed to sponsor a Ukrainian(s).   Please fill out the short form at right to let us know what skill or asset you are willing to contribute to welcoming and assisting the newcomers who are strangers at first in our state.

“The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God” Leviticus 19:34.

Ways that individuals & groups in a local community can help:

  • Churches & local non-profits can come alongside sponsors & hosts.*
  • Churches & local non-profits can join the Freedom’s Haven Network to be eligible for grants to help with unexpected sponsor expenses.
  • Donate to Freedom’s Haven to help fund Freedom’s Haven grants
  • Temporary free house like a mother-in-law apartment or free rent for a few months.
  • Donate to local churches & non-profits to help sponsors & hosts help Ukrainian refugees.
  • Be available for English practice.
  • Offer financial/legal coaching and advice: Tax questions (filling out the W-4), saving, investing, wills, budgeting, credit scores.
  • Donate furniture, household items, clothes, bikes, etc.
  • Help sponsors, hosts, & refugees to connect to community services and charities.
  • Help sponsors, hosts, & refugees to connect with employers.
  • Scholarships or financial assistance to attend Christian schools.
 

*a sponsor is the person who receives approval from US Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) to receive a refugee into the US.  A sponsor commits to financially ensure a successful resettlement of the refugee.

*a host supports the sponsor to do much of the work of resettling the refugee.  The host can greatly reduce the sponsor’s workload in resettling a refugee.

Tell us how You can help!

Please give us some details about you and what assets or skills you would like to make available to newcomers in South Dakota.   Thank you!

Please give details about your skill or asset.

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Freedom's Haven of SD

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