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Neighborhood Support Teams

Often, unprecedented times call for innovation and bold actions. With the impending arrival of at Afghans last summer, Ascentria concluded that the best way to effectively resettle would be to tap into the power of local communities for help. 

To mobilize the generous, caring public into a network of support, Ascentria has partnered with local communities and organizations to engage volunteers throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire. By organizing Neighborhood Support Teams (NSTs), each comprised of 20-30 volunteers that are overseen by an Ascentria resettlement navigator, together we are creating a sustainable community-based model of resettlement.

Neighborhood Support Teams will be a crucial part of the support systems in place for refugee and asylee arrivals in your community. Will you join in this effort?

Are You Interested in Joining or Starting a Neighborhood Support Team?


Join a Support Team

Start a Support Team

What does a Neighborhood Support Team Do?

Neighborhood Support Teams (NSTs) work alongside Ascentria case managers to help refugee families and individuals access resources, recover and heal, and build self-sufficient lives here in the U.S. NSTs are formed when a community decides that they want to make the commitment to sponsor an individual or family by providing supports for up to one year.
 

Hear from Dave and Doreen Rinas About Being an NST

Because we are talking about a long-term relationship between the community and the resettled individuals and families, it is imperative that both parties are involved in the matching process. Community placements of refugees will take into account the resettled peoples’  interests, preferred location, and overall compatibility with the community.

For the first two months of a person's arrival, NSTs can expect to spend approximately 40 hours per week as a team helping the person or family access resources, acclimate to their new community, and settle in their new homes.
Neighborhood support teams will be needed to help with the following tasks in the coming months and years as refugees rebuild their lives here in the U.S.:
 
  • Helping locate and setup short and long-term housing
  • Welcoming and helping introduce new arrivals to the community
  • Assisting with education enrollment and support
  • Fundraising to ease financial burdens while people get settled
  • Assisting individuals in their search for employment
  • Helping people access and navigate the U.S. healthcare system
  • Helping locate additional resources and benefits
  • Coordinating with Ascentria case managers

NST Locations

 

Who Will You Be Helping?

You will be helping families and individuals who fled conflict, discimination, and political persecution rebuild their lives.

All refugees who arrive in the United States undergo an intense vetting process through the federal government, a health screening, and receive mandatory vaccinations before being placed with a resettlement agency.

NSTs work directly with Ascentria to access resources and provide necessary support systems for refugees.

NSTs are forming across New England! Take a look at the map to find an NST near you!

Not ready to join or create a Neighborhood Support Team?

Please consider making a donation to help support resettlement!

 Donate Now

FAQS

I don't see a NST for my area, can I still join one?
How much money will each NST need to raise?
Will I need to go through a background check?
How much of a time commitment will this be?
I've never helped with refugee resettlement before, will there be training?
I'm not ready to join a NST, can I still volunteer?

Cultural Mentorship Program

Learning about refugees' customs and resettlement best practices are requirements for volunteers and Neighborhood Support Teams. Ascentria's Cultural Mentorship Program is a holistic learning experience that helps you provide a safe and welcoming environment for new arrivals.

Hear from Freshta about Afghan culture!

Learn More

Want to Help Full Time?

Consider joining the Ascentria team!

You will be joining our organization at a pivotal point in our history, and in the history of the United States. You will be directly involved in helping organize, strategize, and enact ways to provide new services, access new funding sources, cultivate relationships with community members, and more. Your day-to-day work would be spent truly making a difference as we work to help resettle refugees and asylees.

Bilingual Paralegal
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The Paralegal is responsible for assisting attorneys in representing income-eligible noncitizen clients with immigration applications and petitions, including but not limited to family-based petitions, naturalization applications, adjustment of status applications, and refugee travel documents.

Apply Today
 
Resettlement and Integration Coordinator
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The SNA case management team empowers resettled refugees to become independent and self-sufficient by connecting refugees to community services and facilitating community integration. You will oversee all aspects of the case management team!

Apply Today
 
Bilingual Staff Attorney

The Staff Attorney provides legal services including direct representation to eligible noncitizen survivors of domestic violence, child abuse, and other crimes, as well as refugees and immigrants in their humanitarian and family-based cases.

Apply Today
 

Ascentria Care Alliance Services for New Americans

11 Shattuck St, Worcester, MA 01605
425 Union St, West Springfield, MA 01809
261 Sheep Davis Rd, Concord, NH 03301

EIN: 04-2496563