War, instability, and oppression force many around the world to seek safety.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Department of Migration and Refugee Services, together with dioceses across the country, is helping to welcome displaced families to the United States through Welcome Circles.

You can help, too. 

Program Goal

Facilitate the creation of Welcome Circles for displaced families from places such as Ukraine, Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, providing them with the tools, connections, information, and financial support they need to become self-sufficient and settle into American communities. 

What are Welcome Circles? 

A Welcome Circle is a group of 5-20 people who come together to provide wraparound support for the family, housing, time-bound income support, basic necessities, job search advice, orientation to the community and more.

View the Welcome Circle Toolkit for a more in-depth overview of Welcome Circles and what's required. 

How do I learn more and participate?

  1. Read this short overview of the Welcome Circle Program.
  2. If you are ready to form a Welcome Circle in your community, please consider using this checklist to guide you through the process.
  3. Register below for one of our upcoming information sessions, where you will receive a general overview of the Welcome Circles Program and have the opportunity to ask questions.

Information Sessions

Virtual information sessions are held every Tuesday from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Registration is required. You will have the opportunity to meet with Welcome Circle staff and ask questions. If this day and time do not work for you, please contact us using the email below to arrange a different meeting time. 

   Register

Who do I contact with questions? 

USCCB staff offer ongoing support to Circles. We can offer tailored virtual sessions as needed or answer questions via one-on-one virtual meetings or phone conversations.

Please email WelcomeCircles@USCCB.org with any questions or to request additional information.


Office Hours

Every Wednesday from 1:00-2:00 p.m. ET, a USCCB staff member will be available to answer questions. Please use this link to join: https://usccb.zoom.us/j/87500997134?pwd=OEphY2wybzE5bWxTUXRBZXArdkdEQT09

"This way of reacting is fundamental and indispensable, it regenerates the human and social fabric, in the presence of a wound as serious and as great as that caused by the war."

Pope Francis

Archbishop Borys Gudziak on the War in Ukraine

Archbishop Borys Gudziak on the War in Ukraine

Archbishop Borys Gudziak of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia discusses his recent travel to Ukraine, the war, the enduring hope of the Ukrainian people, and their gratitude for American support. 

Emphasis on Ukraine During Bishops' Fall 2022 General Assembly

Emphasis on Ukraine During Bishops' Fall 2022 General Assembly

In this special edition of Catholic Current, Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville, chairman of the USCCB's Committee on Migration, and Archbishop Gudziak both touch on different aspects of the war in Ukraine and the resulting refugee situation.