Newcomer Arrival
Welcome Home
Mixed migration populations arrive in the U.S. needing to regain a sense of safety and belonging. A warm, safe, and furnished home is the first step on that journey. You can ensure that these newcomers arrive to a fully-furnished and equipped home as soon as they step off the plane.
Newcomer Arrival teams are groups of friends and neighbors who join together to transform an empty apartment into a home.
Getting Started
The first step in creating a Newcomer Arrival team is to designate a team coordinator to work with CWS Houston and organize the logistics of item collection and move-in. This includes creating a plan for where and how to collect furniture and household items, organizing the move-in team and arranging transportation for deliveries.
Our staff receives a notification 2-3 weeks in advance of each arrival, so the group coordinator should have the logistics planned before knowing the exact date for move-in. We usually schedule groups for a period of time (i.e. an apartment in April) and confirm an exact date 2-3 weeks in advance.
Team Coordinator Sign Up
Collecting Items
Each apartment is required to have certain basic furniture and household items, such as enough beds and dishes for each person moving in. Although some items must be new (such as soaps or cleaners), many furnishings can be used.
Move-in
Yay! You’ve collected all the items, added some fun extras like curtains and couch pillows, and now you’re ready to move in! Each Newcomer Arrival team has 10 days or two full weekends to coordinate a move-in. This will entail organizing a group to do the heavy lifting and transportation for getting furniture to the apartment. The group coordinator will work with CWS Houston staff to schedule the move-in and then it’s showtime! After you’ve set up the apartment, give yourselves a pat on the back! You did it!
But don’t forget the groceries: depending on the family’s date of arrival, someone may need to come back to the apartment after a quick shopping trip to drop off culturally-appropriate groceries for their first days in the U.S. We ask that these are put into the apartment a maximum of 48 hours before the family arrives to make sure they have fresh food waiting for them after the long journey.
Questions?
Contact Laura, Regional Community Engagement Manager.