Summary of the Effects of Sponsorship on Public Attitudes and Social Connection

The author discusses the impact of community sponsorship efforts at the local, national, and global levels. Sponsors have recognized that building meaningful connections is the most valuable aspect of the sponsorship programs. Sponsor-newcomer relationships can generate social capital which can facilitate integration. However, sponsor-newcomer relationships alone are not enough to make refugees feel integrated. It is important for newcomers to develop social connections with people of their same ethnic background to help them feel less isolated.