Despite most of the resettlement infrastructure being frozen in 2025, Patchwork resettled the most Afghan SIV holders in the United States at over 150 Afghan nationals.
Veterans Stepping up for their Allies
U.S. veterans have comprised a large portion of our sponsor groups. Ben Millard (pictured below) has served in Afghanistan twice and has been involved in sponsoring over a dozen Afghan allies, many of which he used to work with directly as a former interpreter supervisor for his base.
A Nationwide Effort
Join a nationwide movement of community sponsors supporting our allies. Patchwork has mobilized sponsor groups in Indiana, Texas, Virginia, Connecticut, and Missouri.
Pictured: Our colleague Najia on a virtual call training our Community Sponsorship group in Kansas City, MO.
At this very moment, thousands of Afghan allies who served alongside our troops are fleeing Taliban persecution and need critical resettlement support.
What are Afghan SIVs?
Through Community Sponsorship, Patchwork is helping Afghan Special Immigrant Visa holders (Afghan SIVs) find safety in the States. Those eligible include interpreters, translators, embassy staff, and other Afghan nationals who have provided at least one year of faithful, valuable service to the U.S. Mission. Their immediate family members, such as spouses and children, are also eligible.
Helping our Allies as a Community
While the SIV program provides a protected legal pathway, it does not guarantee an easy landing. Many Afghan families arrive in the U.S. with little to no resources, local connections, and or an understanding of American systems. This is where community sponsorship comes in.
Community sponsor groups organized by Patchwork help SIV families:
-
Find safe and stable housing
-
Enroll children in school
-
Access healthcare
-
Find jobs or vocational training
-
Navigate differing cultural and legal systems
-
Groups of 3. A Community Sponsor Group (CSG) must consist of at least three people that are 18 years old or older, U.S. Citizens, or U.S. permanent residents (green-card holder).
-
Point of Contact. Each group must designate one member to be the main point of contact between the group and the CSG.
-
Background Checks. Each CSG member must complete and pass a background check.
-
Fundraising requirement. A CSG must raise at least $1,000 per person they wish to sponsor, but each case may vary. These funds are to be reserved for providing sponsored person or family with critical resources and services, such as housing, food, and transportation. Patchwork Indy team will work with CSGs on budgeting or altering minimum funds required on a case-by-case basis.*
-
*Patchwork Sponsor Fund. Patchwork Indy will provide funding for CSGs on a discretionary basis. Support funds are limited and will be reserved for groups who require it most or reserve funds in cases of emergency need.
-
All CSGs sponsoring Afghan SIVs commit to providing the following core services for a minimum period of 90 days:
-
Groceries
-
Rent
-
Household utilities
-
Necessary furniture and household goods
-
Interpreting and translating services
-
Assistance registering for applicable government assistance programs
-
Transportation
-
Enrolling children in school
-
Enrolling for government benefits
-
Keeping Beneficiary up to date with necessary legal and medical appointments
-
Enrolling adults in English classes (if needed)
-
Cultural orientation
-
Assist in fundraising efforts to provide for core services
-
The Sponsorship Process
Fill and submit sponsor group application form.
Our team will follow up with follow up interviews and any necessary background checks to evaluate beneficiary needs and sponsor applicant capacities.
Once Sponsor and Beneficiary applications are accepted, we will match Sponsor and Beneficiaries for their 90-day support period.
Sponsors will receive cultural orientation and training to prepare them for helping their Beneficiary neighbor. Beneficiary and Sponsors will have initial meet & greet to outline goals and expectations.
Sponsors will support a Beneficiary family or individual for a minimum period of 90 days.
To make sure both parties are being adequately supported throughout the 90-day support period, our team will meet with both parties at least once a month.
Questions, thoughts, or concerns?
Contact our Community Sponsorship team: