Get Involved
We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit following the teachings of Jesus by welcoming and serving newcomers with language and cultural challenges to the greater West Bend area.
Our vision is to redeem human displacement through relational engagement.
Welcome
Visit Newcomers and make them feel Welcome with
- Welcome Baskets
- Community Resources
- Community Opportunities
Network
Connect with Newcomers and support them as they:
- Navigate cultural challenges
- Navigate language barriers
Partner
Financially support the Welcome basket initiative. Different sponsorship levels are available.
Friend
Offer special expertise or advice in your professional field for free. Join our Friends List.
Donate
Make a donation to our general fund to cover:
- Community Needs
- Volunteer Training
- General operational & admin expenses
Make checks out to The Welcome Network and send to: c/o Kettlebrook Church, 2378 W Washington St., West Bend WI 53095. OR click to donate via Venmo @welcomingwell or scan QR code below:
FAQ | How to get involved…
Be a Welcomer
Welcomers are vetted and trained volunteers who are paired up to visit Newcomers who are interested in receiving a Welcome Basket filled with information, resources and opportunities in our community. Partner gifts are also included. A binder of information written in accessible English as well as a calendar of local events are important essentials of the basket.
ABOUT THE WELCOME BASKET
Purpose
The Welcome Basket is a method of welcoming a Newcomer to the community. Two trained Welcomers bring a tote bag full of materials to the Newcomer’s home in order to
- Introduce them to a bounty of opportunities and services in the area.
- Discover ways to serve them.
- Establish a Networker relationship
Initial Visit
Ideally, one trained Welcomer and one assistant who speaks the language of the Newcomer.
The goal of the Welcome Basket visit is to establish a Networker relationship of some kind.
If this goal is not met, there should be an agreement to make a return visit in 6-8 weeks with age-appropriate books for the children or adults in English.
Second Visit
The goal of the second visit is to share the gift of books and to establish a Networker relationship of some kind.
If this goal is not met, there should be an agreement to make a return visit in 6-8 weeks with another gift.
Be a Networker
Networkers are vetted and trained volunteers who form a covenant with a Newcomer to navigate them through one or more cultural and language challenges. Networkers spend time one on one with the Newcomer until their goals are met or until the covenant expires. New covenants are formed on a regular basis. Let us know the kind of support you can provide.
Networkers support Newcomers in a variety of ways. Here are some examples of community services.
- One on one time (General cultural navigation and visiting)
- Practicing English
- Shopping for food or clothing
- Buying or selling a car or other large item
- Driving lessons or licensing process
- Transportation to health care, dental, or other appointments
- Reading or sending emails, bills or other other communication
- Internet and/or phone management (selecting/purchasing plans, etc.)
- Understanding and managing insurance benefits
- Setting up banking / managing banking or other accounts
- Facilitating community connections (ie. signing up for children’s sports, or educational programs)
- Understanding the Immigration Process / Management of appointments, etc. . .
- Understanding city services (garbage, parking, permits, etc. . .)
Be a Partner
Partners are donors who can support our Welcome Basket at different sponsorship levels. Adding your specialty item to our Basket is another option. Including your information on our Community Calendar is a way to let Newcomers know about your business or service.
PARTNER LEVELS
Founding Partner ($1,500 and up)
- Name on calendar back with QR code
- Name on literature and website
- Up to two items in the basket
- Recognition at events
- Social media mentions
Network Partner ($1,000)
- Name on welcome T-shirt and volunteer T-shirt
- Up to three items in the basket
- Name on website
- Name on a custom calendar page with QR code
- Recognition at events
- Social media mentions
Welcome Partner ($500 )
- Name on calendar
- Up to two items in the Basket
- Social media mentions
Neighbor Partner ($50 )
- Business Card included in the Basket
- One item in the Basket
Welcome Basket Calendar Partnership (Time sensitive.)
- $75 – Card-sized ad on the back of the calendar
- $300 – Full page ad for a month of the calendar (12 partners)
Be a Friend
Friends of the Welcome Network are experts in their field who offer counsel or services in specialty areas such as banking, insurance, law, taxes, car repair. Once on our list, Networkers know they can count on you for deeper advice or even some services, depending on the situation. Your participation on our list can be kept confidential or shared according to your wish.
Be a Neighbor
Neighbors plan and participate in special events and activities that promote or support the work of the Welcome Network. Join a Committee and work behind the scenes to give Newcomers a true sense of welcome and connection in our community.
Join a Care Team
Care Teams are made up of community members who are led to welcome a refugee/refugee family newly entering the U.S. We partner with Lutheran Social Services in MIlwaukee to follow the protocols of the Department of State in order to receive a family in our community. This experience is intense and often transforming. We are here to connect individuals into a group, support the process, and help with barriers.
We also partner with Welcome Corp., a new government program that allows private citizens to sponsor specific refugees by name. We help connect individuals into a group and set them on a path toward welcoming a refugee/refugee family.
If you are interested in joining a care team, please sign up with the link. Someone will contact you about groups forming.
Sign Up for Training
Our Training Program is custom designed by cross cultural experts and based on research on cultural understanding. The atmosphere is relaxed yet purposeful with hands-on experiences and plenty of real life examples to engage participants. All Welcome Networker volunteers are trained and vetted with a background check to ensure a quality experience in welcoming and/or networking.
The Welcome Network 