Support Teams

Our Support Teams committed literally thousands of hours - approximately 4500 hours in total - to the five families we welcomed to Falls Church in 2022 and 2023. The selfless commitment of the volunteers who joined Support Teams testifies to the welcoming culture of Falls Church and its people.

How did this work? In addition to partial rent support, we organized Support Teams to welcome refugee families well. Each team numbered eight to ten adults, who played defined roles supporting a family as they settled in the area.

Over 110 people expressed interest at some point in joining a Support Team or otherwise lend volunteer support to the Welcoming Refugees effort; over 40 served on a Support Team at some point; each team saw three or four volunteers continue working with the family during their entire two years in the program; and everyone involved was touched by the experience, as we built a community of neighbors by making Falls Church more welcoming to refugees.

We hope to be able to welcome refugees to Falls Church again, to learn from our experience in 2022-2025, and to build on this program. If we are again able to welcome refugees, are you interested in organizing or leading a team, working with friends, your church, temple, or mosque, or another organization, or in joining an established team? Please let us know by emailing us and telling us about your interest.

Here are some of the specific roles that volunteers play as we prepare for incoming families:

Support Team roles, tasks, and responsibilities:

• OVERALL TEAM LEAD or CO-LEAD--coordinator of relationship with family and Support Team colleagues, and point of contact for a resettlement agency partner (training and scheduling)
• FURNITURE/FURNISHING--coordinates with our logistics coordinator to inventory furniture and household goods, defines needs for a donation drive, co-leads "move-in day" and works with family after move-in to identify needs for additional furniture and furnishings
• AIRPORT ARRIVAL and WELCOME MEAL--when applicable and in coordination with a resettlement agency partner, arranges to meet the family at the airport, and to provide their first meal upon arrival
• ESOL SUPPORT--coordinates with the Welcoming Falls Church Adult & Family Literacy Center and provides informal tutorial support
• RIDES and LOCAL LOGISTICS--willing to help with visits to doctors, government offices, etc.; help family members learn how to use public transportation
• COMMUNITY CONNECTION--ongoing coordination with Welcoming FC and community organizations (schools, City, etc.) to support school registration and connect people locally, etc.
• CHILD CARE SUPPORT--occasional babysitting for job interviews and other appointments

Longer term roles, tasks, and responsibilities - note these roles involve working with multiple Support Teams and with more than one Support Team:

• ESOL-- teach, serve as assistant teacher, or tutor with Welcoming FC's Adult & Family Literacy Center; ensure that family members are enrolled in English classes as quickly as possible; coordinate transportation to classes as needed
• HOUSING-- work with landlords (apartments and single family houses) and develop and support Welcoming FC's Welcoming Landlord Network
• JOB MENTORING-- in conjunctions with resettlement agency partner and coordinating with resources available in Falls Church; support family members in their job search and develop Welcoming FC's Welcoming Employer Network
• COMMUNITY GUIDE-- get people involved and together! serve as coordinating reference for community activities and opportunities to get involved in Falls Church; expand their circle of acquaintances
• CHILD CARE SUPPORT-- offer occasional babysitting for job interviews and other appointments
• SCHOOL TUTORING-- be a tutor and "study buddy" for school-age children
• APARTMENT/HOUSE FURNISHING-- help with "move-in days" with multiple families, supporting Support Teams with know-how and experience
• GENERAL ADMINISTRATION-- help Welcoming FC with partnerships, administration, finance, etc.
• COMMUNICATIONS-- help with communications including management of translations of certain documents