Refugee Home Set-Up

Why

According to UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, by 2023, more than 2 million refugees will require resettlement. There will be 150 individuals scheduled for resettlement in Deleware in the 2023 calendar year alone. That is approximately 40-50 families needing homes. Projections for 2024 are 250, and for 2025, about 400, which means 60-70 families in 2024 and 100 families in 2025. So we would need well over 200 homes for arriving families in Deleware in the next three years. 

What

Cash and medical assistance are limited to eight months after arrival into the United States; thus, refugees must achieve self-sufficiency and social adjustment as quickly as possible. A big part of that is for the family unit to feel and believe that they are safe and comfortable; a big part of that is their "new" home. The main goal of the home setup is not only to get the necessary items into a house but to create a welcoming atmosphere for a new arrival - to show from the outset that someone has been anticipating their arrival and put effort into welcoming them to their new home. 

How

We are looking for community groups - churches, schools, and civic groups to adopt a home set up for a refugee family. We can connect you with a bigger group if you are an individual.

Groups can prepare to receive and house refugees in the following ways:

1.    Gather donations: Donations or purchases of:

• Household items: pots, pans, kitchen utensils, plates, bowls, glasses, cups, silverware, baking pans, serving platters, small appliances, lamps, and irons.
• Household furniture: beds, dressers, nightstands, lamps, couches, coffee tables, and small dining tables with chairs.
• Baby items: Cribs, bassinets, high chairs, strollers, car seats, booster seats, educational toys/games, and diapers.
• School supplies: backpacks, lunch boxes, pencils, pens, binders, lined paper, notebooks, markers, colored pencils, scissors, tape, and staplers.
• Toiletries: newly purchased shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, dental floss, lotion, and shaving items.
• Cleaning supplies: brooms, mops, vacuums, buckets, and cleaning products.

Groups often utilize their greater church and community relationships and conduct donation drives to secure items for the home.

2.    Setting up a refugee’s home: A Refugee’s home should be fully furnished and set up before their arrival such as necessary cleaning, moving furniture, and decorating and preparing the home. 

3.    Familiarize yourself with the refugee’s neighborhood: When partnering with a refugee, it is helpful for volunteers to familiarize themselves with the neighborhood and area where the refugees will be living. Identify local shopping, bus routes, parks, etc.  

4.    Prepare a fully stocked pantry and an arrival meal: Upon arrival, the refugee's pantry should be fully stocked, and a culturally appropriate meal should be provided for them when they arrive in their new home.

5.    Tax Deductions: Gift-in Kind Receipts can be requested for items purchased or donated. These receipts may serve as proof of the donation for tax purposes.