WelcomeNST

06/02/2026

Sometimes the people rebuilding their own lives are the same people rebuilding entire communities.

Before her evacuation from Kabul in 2021, Lima advocated for women’s rights with UN Women and the U.S. Embassy. Following a brief stay at a U.S. military base, she transitioned to the D.C. Area to begin the hard work of starting over.

But even while rebuilding her own life, Lima became a resource for others doing the same.

She helped build a project that recruited 46 mentors to connect immigrants with jobs, assisted newcomers in navigating unfamiliar systems, and became a certified medical and educational interpreter. On weekends, you’ll still find her showing up at local events, building community wherever she goes.

At WelcomeNST, Lima brings her lived experience to her work. She is now forming teams for families in the Virginia-DC area. She knows firsthand what it means to be forced from home—and now uses that experience to help others rebuild with stability and belonging.

05/11/2026

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.”

04/19/2026

This is what is looks like when neighbors show up for each other.

Follow along to learn more about the work WelcomeNST is doing for our refugee neighbors!

03/28/2026

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?

03/09/2026

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.”

02/26/2026

Reporting back on 2025. Here's to continuing to come together to stand with our immigrant and refugee neighbors in 2026!

01/27/2026

We’re grateful to share that WelcomeNST has earned a Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator, the highest possible distinction from the nation’s leading charity evaluator.

This rating reflects strong accountability, effectiveness, and stewardship—and it’s only possible because of the trust and support of our community. Thank you for being part of this work as donors, volunteers, and partners.

01/13/2026

While the politics of immigration are divisive, there is far more consensus than the current conversation suggests.

Today, it can be hard to imagine how America moves beyond the polarized dynamics of immigration. But history shows the U.S. has faced — and overcome — similar divisions before.

Source:

At a time when immigration debates feel gridlocked and polarized, refugee sponsorship offers a rare point of alignment— building trust across partisan lines, supporting successful local integration, and sustaining public support by putting local communities at the center.

12/29/2025

In the spirit of Auld Lang Syne, look back with us at where it all began. We were, and are, just a collection of good neighbors determined to help one family at a time. There’s still so much to do. Stay tuned...

12/23/2025

Meet Behishda! She’s a baker, a straight-A college student and an Afghan who was welcomed to the U.S. with her family by a private group of Americans she’d never even met. And then, they changed each other’s lives.