An international humanitarian embraces refugee sponsorship as an effective local solution, helping a Syrian family start a new life in Florida.
John Filson is no stranger to humanitarian work. Having previously done field work in Latin America and the Middle East, John spent years working to support local community leaders who are trying to address the root causes of violence, poverty and historical injustices that keep people divided.
When two friends invited John to join a sponsor group to welcome a refugee family to Florida, he eagerly accepted. Drawing inspiration from his previous employer, the Mennonite Central Committee, John appreciates groups who come together to develop local solutions alongside other committed people.
“I’m not Mennonite myself,” John explained, “but I like their style. They listen before they teach, and they’re there for the right reasons. The work is about meeting people’s needs, whoever they are.”
After forming a sponsor group with members from his community, John and his group welcomed a Syrian family of seven in October of 2024.
Adnan, the father of the Syrian family, recalled feeling both exhausted and hopeful as he and his family were welcomed by John and his sponsor group at the airport.
“We were traveling on the plane for a long time, so I was kind of tired,” said Adnan, “I didn’t know anything here in the United States. But when I saw [John and the group], I was happy and optimistic about good things.”
“They just immediately hit it off and started playing, even though they don’t speak the same language.“
Adnan, refugee
Bringing families together
For both John and Adnan, one of the biggest joys of getting to know each other is seeing their children interact. Although Adnan explained learning English comes with challenges, one of his favorite moments since arriving in the United States was seeing his daughter, Nour, interact with John’s son.
“They just immediately hit it off and started playing, even though they don’t speak the same language,” Adnan described. “Obviously John’s son speaks English and Nour speaks Arabic, but they still nonetheless insist on speaking with each other. So they end up using sign language, like made up sign language, which makes us parents laugh.”
Although members of John’s sponsor group did not know each other very well before forming their group, and Adnan’s family had no prior connection to the sponsors, both John and Adnan described how their families have come together through the process of refugee sponsorship.
“Imagine,” John said, “I was just sitting at the computer helping Adnan’s family fill out paperwork to change their address. Four or five family members are standing around me as I sat on the computer. Claire Goodrich, another member of our sponsor group, was at another computer helping the rest of the family.”
“I was trying to open seven individual accounts to do their change of address form. Meanwhile, their debit cards came in for the bank accounts they opened, and they are trying to activate those, “John shared. “At the same time, the mom was trying to follow up and get somebody to go with her to get the youngest into a daycare program.”
Coming together to ensure the family’s smooth transition is exactly the role sponsor groups play in a refugee family’s journey. Without this collaborative effort, Adnan emphasized, his family would have faced greater challenges in adjusting to life in the United States.
Yet, Adnan explained that transitioning to life in the United States “wasn’t that hard because we’ve had John and Claire and everyone on our side that made us feel like nothing is hard. I would say that it would have been hard if we were by ourselves, but because they are in our lives, everything was just going smoothly.”
From his own perspective, John was also grateful for support from members of his sponsor group and their circles of supportive friends who have donated time, furniture, and supplies. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) provided general information about the sponsorship process. Throughout this journey, John learned that successful sponsorship requires “flexibility and a group that is involved. Make sure your schedule is flexible, and that you communicate well.” These have been the keys to a successful transition for Adnan and his family.
Looking forward
Now that Adnan’s family has moved into their long-term home, he is eager to see his children thrive. Their education was impacted both by the family’s need to flee Syria due to the war and by the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced many students worldwide to attend school online.
Before coming to the United States, Adnan’s older sons worked in Lebanon to support the family, while Adnan worked in construction. As the family settles into life in Jacksonville, Adnan is hopeful that he will find a new job and be able to support his children as they enroll back in school and pursue their careers.
“I would like them to go to school and get a degree, because getting a degree is much better,” Adnan shared. You’ll get better jobs. We hope that will happen.”
“It allows me to feel like I’m being useful for somebody, and something that I’m doing lets them be here and be starting a new life when otherwise they wouldn’t be able to. So, it’s very satisfying. And I feel happy doing that.”
John, Welcome Corps sponsor
For John, watching Adnan and his family thrive in the United States is important and rewarding. As the children from both families played together, John reflected on his role as a sponsor and the impact this collaboration has on both families.
“It allows me to feel like I’m being useful for somebody, and something that I’m doing lets them be here and be starting a new life when otherwise they wouldn’t be able to. So, it’s very satisfying. And I feel happy doing that.”
John also learned the importance of sharing his experience as a sponsor with others in the community to raise awareness about the opportunity to help resettle refugee families.
“I think to me it’s always been about not just compartmentalizing it like it’s a project you have that’s none of other people’s business, or that people wouldn’t want to know,” he advised. “Kind of always wear it on your sleeve just in casual conversation with everybody, so that people know what you’re doing, and what the impact is.”
That impact can be seen in Adnan’s renewed hope for his oldest daughter’s future. Now in high school, she dreams of becoming a professional translator, and her English has already improved significantly. Adnan is optimistic about the opportunities that lie ahead for all of his children.
As his family moves forward, Adnan will always cherish the laughter and joy shared with the sponsor group when they first arrived. The bonds they’ve formed, along with the lighthearted moments between the adults and the children, have provided warmth and strength to the entire family—showing that community is more than where you live, it’s also the connections you make.