Sponsors Organized to Assist Refugees

The recent crises in Afghanistan and Ukraine have highlighted the urgent need for refugee resettlement work. To learn more about how you can help, visit our Refugee Rapid Response page.

Since the 1970s, the generosity of congregations, community groups and individuals has enabled Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon's Sponsors to Assist Refugees (SOAR) to welcome and assist our new neighbors as they arrive in the Portland metro area.

Who are these neighbors? They are families from Africa, Southeast Asia, the former Soviet Union, Cuba/Haiti, Latin America and the Middle East. Many come here fleeing persecution and countries torn by war. Often they arrive with no more than the clothes they are wearing.

Sponsors Organized to Assist Refugees, an affiliate of Church World Service, resettles hundreds of refugees a year. We link sponsors—congregations, friends or community organizations—with refugees before they arrive in the United States, and help sponsors welcome and assist the refugees in their adjustment to a new life in the Portland metro area. Refugees are welcomed, given temporary homes with household items and food, and offered assistance as they learn a new language, develop job skills and search for employment.

A refugee is any person who cannot return to his or her home country out of fear he or she will be persecuted because of race, religion, political opinion or national origin.

SOAR provides

• Comprehensive and compassionate resettlement services
• Case management
• Refugee children school enrollment
• Mental health prevention and promotion services
• Cultural orientation
• Volunteer recruitment to help refugees build new lives in our community
• Sponsorship development and training

Get involved

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