8 Ways to Be a Good Neighbor to Asylum Seekers

  1. Pray for peace in the world; for safe travels for those on the move; and for a movement of welcome among God’s people. 
  2. Educate yourself about the asylum system. Here’s a good place to start.
  3. Change the narrative in your community. Help others understand the truth about asylum seekers and dispel myths that harm them. 
  4. Advocate for just, welcoming, and humane asylum policies. 
  5. Put your resources to work. Recurring donations to Jonathan House help us grow our capacity to provide shelter, hope and healing.
  6. Volunteer. We can help you connect to an asylum-seeking friend for a mutually caring relationship, or use your skills to grow our impact. 
  7. Get your church involved. Caring for displaced neighbors is a community effort and a shared call. Congregations can learn, pray, donate, volunteer, advocate, and provide shelter. A supply drive is a good place to start.
  8. Host an asylum seeker. The need for safe, stable housing far outstrips available spaces. Consider welcoming an asylum seeker into your home, neighborhood, or congregation.

Resources for Neighbors

Learn about Asylum/Jonathan House

Asylum Fact Sheet

Vimeo: I Am Every Asylum Seeker (October 2018)

Podcast Feature: Beyond Soundbites – “Unraveled and Repurposed”

A House Built By Love (October 2019)

Interview: Why Compassion? (August 2020) – Starts at minute 33:15

Resources for Serving Displaced People

IAFR Training

Toolkit for Congregations (EMM)

Minnesota Asylum Network