Moving to a new country can be an overwhelming and isolating experience for anyone. Refugees, who are forced to flee their homes due to conflict, violence and persecution, face particularly acute cultural, emotional and financial challenges during their resettlement process. With the support of the local community, the IRC in Wichita is able to welcome and support refugee families as they rebuild their lives in our community.

What is the HOME Program?

The HOME Program pairs community and/or faith-based groups directly with refugee families resettled by the IRC in Wichita. In collaboration with the IRC, HOME Teams assist the Wichita team to complete home set-ups, provide targeted financial assistance and offer ongoing mentorship to a refugee family for six months.

HOME welcome:

- Apartment set-up
- Airport pick-up
- Groceries and a warm meal

HOME subsidy:

- $1,500 per team
- $1,250 =  direct assistance
- $250 = IRC in Wichita’s emergency fund

Home mentorship:

- 2 hours per week for 6 months
- Friendship, guidance, introduction to new community


Levels of support: There are four levels of support teams can sign-up to provide

- Level 1: Rent subsidy, mentorship and housing set-up
- Level 2: Mentorship and housing set-up
- Level 3: Rent subsidy and housing set-up
- Level 4: Rent subsidy OR housing set-up

You can read more about the HOME Program here: https://www.rescue.org/announcement/wichita-launches-home-program?edme=true