Welcome Connect developed by Goldman Sachs, ServiceNow, and Infosys with support from the Breakthrough Prize Foundation’s Tech for Refugees initiative connects Americans with Ukrainians seeking refuge in The united state
The new ‘Be a Welcomer’ campaign connects Americans to opportunities to accept refugees, including donations of time, resources, and support
WASHINGTON DC, June 20, 2022 / PRNewswire/ – Today, on World Refugee Day, Welcome.US is expanding pathways for Americans to support newcomers, including launching Welcome Connect, a first-of-its-kind platform, developed with support from Goldman Sachs, ServiceNow, Infosys, and Tech for Refugees initiative of the Breakthrough Prize Foundation. While more than 58,000 Americans have already raised their hand to sponsor Ukrainians seeking safety in The united state, many still need shelter who have not yet matched a sponsor. To bridge this gap and recruited Americans to sponsor 100,000 UkrainiansWelcome.US and its partners have created Welcome Connect, a user-friendly platform to provide a secure, streamlined process for Americans looking to connect with beneficiaries and serve displaced Ukrainians who requires a sponsor but no connection to one.
It starts June 22, Americans interested in becoming sponsors can sign up through Welcome Connect, where they will complete sponsorship training and build a profile. Beginning June 29Ukrainians seeking refuge in The united state will join the platform and once the profiles threshold for both sponsors and beneficiaries is filled, users will be invited to connect with each other to pursue sponsorship.
Welcome.US also invites people across America to commit to ‘Be Welcomer’ and take action to support Ukrainian and Afghan newcomers. At Welcome.US ‘Be a Welcomer’ interactive art installation in the Pioneer Court of Chicago, Illinois from June 17–21, guests can share a greeting message for newcomers. Americans can also send a virtual postcard or recorded video greeting message online. As one of the top 10 cities where Afghan and Ukrainian newcomers live. The united state, Chicago is a microcosm of acceptance taking place in dozens of communities across the country. As a Welcomer, Americans can support newcomers from Afghanistan, Ukraineand elsewhere through sponsorship or by volunteering, donating funds to the Welcome Fund to support community-based organizations and essential products for home set-ups, or providing other resources including safe transportation or temporary housing by Welcome.US and partners.
“World Refugee Day is an opportunity to recognize the courage and resilience of the millions forced to flee their home country and to celebrate all who opened their arms to accept them,” said the Welcome.US CEO Nazanin Ash. “We need everyone to get involved, so we ask Americans to commit to being a Welcomer and act to support safety seekers in The united state. Through the new Welcome Connect platform, and with our partners across the country, Welcome.US inspires and empowers people from across America to unite in a common goal and help newcomers thrive in their new communities. “
CONNECTION OF UKRAINIAN TRANSFERS WITH AMERICAN SPONSORS
Ukrainians fleeing the war may seek refuge The united state by recently announced United for Ukraine program. This federal program requires displaced Ukrainians to be sponsored by a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, other legally present individual, non-profit, educational institution, or an employer.
The new Welcome Connect platform brings together interested Americans and individuals fleeing the war Ukraine requiring a sponsor, and initiated the sponsorship process in an accessible, efficient, and secure manner. The easy -to -use site is designed to provide agency to vulnerable Ukrainians and ensure that sponsors for the first time have a positive experience.
Welcome Connect was built with engineering leadership from Goldman Sachsas well as extensive support from Service Today at Infosys, which provides expertise and support for the initial build at no charge, including design, development, and technical support. The Breakthrough Prize FoundationTech for Refugees ’Tech for Refugees initiative will financially support the Welcome Connect platform as it measures, and ServiceNow is hosting Welcome Connect on its Now Platform free of charge. Integrations with additional platforms, including EdAppis also currently being developed.
This solution is designed to meet the immediate needs around sponsorship for refugee Ukrainians, but can be adapted for future work related to private sponsorship for other refugee groups.
MEETING THIS HISTORIC MOMENT
This year, World Refugee Day marked an unprecedented moment as the number of forced refugees worldwide reached 89.3 million by the end of 2021 and now exceeds 100 million for the first time in history, according to UN refugee agency. Driven by the war Ukrainethe collapse of Kabul sa August 2021and other recent international conflicts, this number represents one in every 78 people in the world forced to flee their homes, which equates to the 14th most populous country.
About Welcome.US
Welcome.US was founded to unite, inspire, and empower Americans to support asylum seekers here, starting with Afghan refugees displaced in The united state after the collapse of Kabul sa August 2021. The ultimate ambition of Welcome.US is to magnify the contributions and deep desire of everyday Americans to assist newcomers in substantial capacity and a resounding commitment to welcome asylum seekers here.
In partnership with local and national resettlement agencies, community organizations and leaders, refugees, community sponsorship groups, nonprofits, businesses, faith -based institutions, veterans, universities, four former Presidents and four formerly First Ladies, Welcome.US is the only entry point for Americans who want to get involved and support new life beginners The united state.
To learn more about Welcome.US, please visit welcome.us.
SOURCE Infosys
.