Dr. Shaza Idris is using her personal experience and community engagement to inspire and guide others in sponsoring refugees, creating a network of support across the country.
Shaza believes in the power of refugee sponsorship because she has experienced the benefits of resettlement and opportunity firsthand. As the daughter of academics who was raised between Sudan and Oman, Shaza is the only one of her siblings to be born in the United States. Her brother, an asylee in Canada, recently became a Canadian citizen, while her sister —an engineer and humanitarian—is currently in Egypt after enduring displacement and being separated from her family in Sudan.
“I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have been born in the United States, where opportunities are more accessible,” Shaza shared. “My siblings weren’t as lucky. They’ve faced significant challenges navigating the immigration process, which has shaped my understanding of how complex the process can be.”
While Shaza remains separated from her sister, she is motivated to help reunite other families.
“The war in Sudan has shattered countless lives,” explained Shaza, “leaving deep scars on the hearts and homes of its people. Families have been forced to flee overnight, abandoning their communities and memories.”
“Watching their joy and relief, seeing them hug each other after so long, was overwhelming. It’s a reminder of why this work matters.“
Shaza, Welcome Corps sponsor
Along with four others, Shaza is part of a sponsor group that recently welcomed two individuals from Sudan to join their family in Rochester, Minnesota. Shaza met the family through her Sudanese immigrant community connections and was inspired to help form a sponsor group to reunite them.
“For many, this is not just about survival,” Shaza explained, “it’s a way to honor my Sudanese roots, support my extended family in spirit, and forge new connections with others committed to making a different and rebuilding hope amid Sudan’s tragedy.”
Emotional transitions
Shaza recalls the moment the family was reunited at Rochester airport.
“Watching their joy and relief, seeing them hug each other after so long, was overwhelming. It’s a reminder of why this work matters. Moments like that make every challenge worth it.”
After the family arrived in Rochester, Shaza and her sponsor group supported their transition. While logistics like housing and healthcare are critical, Shaza emphasized the importance of addressing emotional needs as refugees adjust to life in the United States.
“For those who escaped, the pain of losing everything—homes filled with childhood laughter, treasured possessions handed down for generations, and the vibrant streets that shaped their identities—lingers in every breath,” Shaza shared.
Shaza noted that members of a sponsor group play different roles in helping families establish themselves, and one of the most rewarding elements of this experience is working together with others in the community to create a welcoming and safe environment.
Her group received guidance from the Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services (IRIS), which provided a Community Sponsorship Coach, Mrs. Britten, who helped Shaza and her group prepare to welcome the family.
“Mrs. Britten has been an exceptional mentor throughout my sponsorship journey. Her unwavering support and thoughtful guidance not only helped me navigate the logistical challenges but also equipped me to better understand and adapt to the complexities of working with refugees. What could have been an overwhelming process became deeply fulfilling thanks to her encouragement, for which I am profoundly grateful,” Shaza shared.
Expanding networks of support through Welcome Corps
While undoubtedly rewarding, Shaza knows that sponsoring refugees can feel daunting. To demystify the process, she teaches other Sudanese immigrant groups about sponsoring through Welcome Corps. Her goal is to make the process as simple and trustworthy as possible.
“Programs like Welcome Corps offer a lifeline to Sudanese refugees, presenting an opportunity to rebuild their lives and preserve their dignity. It’s a chance to start over, to transform loss into resilience, and to honor the legacy of a nation that has endured so much.”
After forming her sponsor group and welcoming her first family, Shaza was inspired to spread the word about her positive experience with Welcome Corps. She began by posting about her experience on various Sudanese immigrant community groups through social media.
“By sharing my own experiences through social media, Zoom sessions, and individual conversations, I hope to make the sponsorship process feel more accessible and achievable for those who want to make a difference.”
Shaza, Welcome Corps sponsor
“I shared multiple posts, including helpful links and even a few pictures. I also tagged people to encourage them to engage and explore this opportunity,” Shaza commented.
Her efforts gained traction, starting in Minnesota and then leading to virtual calls with groups across the United States, including North Carolina, Florida, Virginia, and beyond. Recently, Shaza led a Facebook live conversation about Welcome Corps that reached over 3,000 people.
“I’m doing my best to support and inspire others in the Sudanese American community to explore the Welcome Corps program. By sharing my own experiences through social media, Zoom sessions, and individual conversations, I hope to make the sponsorship process feel more accessible and achievable for those who want to make a difference,” said Shaza.
Through her ongoing conversations, Shaza inspired other Sudanese immigrants to form sponsor groups through Welcome Corps. Her outreach within her community groups has made her a trusted resource for those seeking guidance from someone with first-hand experience.
Pitching in for a bigger cause
Only two months after welcoming her first family, Shaza has inspired more groups across the United States take the first step in sponsorship.
“I think a dozen more sponsor groups have started by me walking them through the process one by one,” Shaza said.
Shaza has met people in every state who are willing to form a sponsor group because they believe in the importance of welcoming new neighbors and working together to provide community support.
Shaza encourages others who’ve gone through the process to share their experiences and expand access to information by sharing through Welcome Corps storytelling.
“My husband and kids understand the situation. I’m very grateful for my supportive husband because this took a lot of time from my family time,” Shaza shared. “But they understand because it’s a bigger cause.”
Shaza plans to continue sponsoring and helping others form sponsor groups. She hopes other members of her family will be able to benefit from this opportunity, too.
“I’m very proud of my journey, and I’m so honored. It feels amazing. People actually filled out a lot of forms. My husband stepped in to sponsor another group with family here in Rochester, a family of nine.”
Shaza emphasized the importance of teamwork in sponsor group success. “So you feel like everybody is active. We’re writing, filling out forms every day.”
Through these connections, Shaza is forging relationships with other Sudanese Americans and Sudanese immigrants who are finding ways to support those still affected by the war in Sudan.
“It’s a big chance for everyone, especially with the new war in Sudan. People cannot accept it, and they don’t deserve to. Nobody deserves to be treated this way. I want to help as much as I can through this program.”
Our extended family
Sponsoring refugees has also enriched Shaza’s professional life, shaping her approach as a trauma-informed advocate.
“I’m learning. I’m growing myself on different levels. I feel like I’m working at a different level,” she explained. “I grew up in a family that always helped others with academic, scientific, or emotional support.”
Sponsoring refugees is a natural extension of Shaza’s roles as a medical practitioner, daughter, mother, and member of the Sudanese community.
“It’s [part of] our culture [as] Sudanese,” she said. “It’s not [just] about you. Don’t close yourself to your small family. You’re in charge even of your extended family.”
For Shaza, that network is growing bigger everyday thanks to the Welcome Corps.
“Sponsorship isn’t just about helping others,” she believes. “It’s about growing yourself. For me, this is more than a responsibility. It’s an honor.”