WelcomeNST

Some people wait for life to feel “normal” before giving back. Iryna didn’t.

Just one week after arriving in the U.S., she asked: “How can I help sponsor another family?”

She had fled Ukraine, driving for five days—including one 27-hour nonstop stretch—to reach safety. She had said goodbye to her husband at the border, unsure of when they’d be reunited (he joined her 8 months later), and had hidden her toddler under blankets to muffle the sound of missiles.

And still, seven days after landing on U.S. soil, she was already paving the way for others. She reached out to her Neighborhood Support Team, to find a sponsor for a family.

At 40, she had to start over from zero. But instead of focusing on what she lost, she focused on who she could help.

That’s when she met Olga, a Russian-born woman in the U.S., heartbroken by the war and ready to act. Together, they bridged a divide and helped bring 8 families to safety!

Now a vital member of the WelcomeNST staff, Iryna helps Teams do what she did eight times over. She pours the same tireless passion into her work—driven by the belief that every child has the right to live without fear.

It is a generosity of spirit that never rests. As our founder Liz says:
“She is one of the most actively grateful people I know. Her quiet generosity is a thing of true beauty.”

When a family had to leave everything behind, they faced a difficult decision.

They had to part with everything they owned.

Money was tight, selling seemed like the only option.

Then, against all practical sense, they made a brave decision. They chose to give instead, donating nearly $2,000 worth of their possessions to others in need.

When they finally arrived in the United States, something unexpected happened.

Their Neighborhood Support Team (NST) and others helped furnish their new home.

A bunk bed.
Bedding.
Towels.
Household essentials.

To their surprise, some things in their new home were just like what they had left behind — some the exact same!

A full-circle moment.

They gave when they didn’t know what would happen next, and generosity met them again.

That’s the quiet gift of generosity.
Where does generosity meet courage in your life?

Pam had always been willing to help, but leading was different—and it nearly stopped her before it began.

She describes herself as someone prone to overthinking, so when the opportunity to start a team arose, she hesitated, worrying she wasn’t ready.

But then, across town, a 19-year-old named Aiden clicked on a volunteer listing and decided to say yes. WelcomeNST connected him with Pam and this gave her the confidence to say yes too.

Before training was even finished, their growing team was matched with a family. The early weeks were intense. Housing was uncertain. Systems were confusing. Everything felt urgent.

But the team stayed close, finally securing an apartment. And somewhere along the way, Pam noticed something changing in herself.

As she watched Razia step forward —making appointments without knowing how she'd get there, trusting that it would work out—Pam found herself learning alongside her.

What began as helping had become something deeper.

“I love Razia and her family,” she said.

Not the work. Not the mission. Them.

Her voice caught with emotion.

“They’re my friends.”

In light of the recent announcement calling for a review of all refugee cases processed during the Biden administration and the plan to halt green card processing...

We at WelcomeNST ache for the increased fear and uncertainty this places on our families and their Neighborhood Support Teams (NSTs).

To our NSTs,
Please know that as you stand with the families you’ve welcomed, WelcomeNST stands with you.

To everyone else,
Please find a refugee family in your community, this is the moment to show care, presence, and support during an especially frightening time.

In solidarity,
The WelcomeNST Team