Church of the Ascension purposes to develop a robust ministry among refugees and low-income immigrants in the greater Pittsburgh region. Ascension already hosts a robust international ministry whose primary means of engagement is ESL classes and county-wide field trips. There are currently 30+ adult volunteers within this ministry and 150+students from 30+ countries. It is against this broader background that a refugee ministry will be partly levereged.

The Refugee Resettlement Co-Sponsorship team would work in partnership with one of Pittsburgh’s federally sponsored resettlement agencies, likely Hello Neighbor or Bethany Christian Services, and would be responsible for the practicalities of resettling families assigned to the church. Specifically, the church would work to find appropriate accommodation and/or assist with fully outfitting a house or apartment; connect arriving families to public benefits and services; arrange initial healthcare appointments and connect families to pharmacies and needed providers; help families with education and literacy needs, registering for schools and ESL classes; and provide families with community orientation.

The goal would be for each family to become self-sufficient, arranging their own transportation as needed (usually by bus) and living within a budget on employment income and any ongoing public benefit assistance. The church initially hopes to serve 2 families in 2023, and as they build traction, would like to achieve a regular annual rhythm of assisting 2 - 3 families.