Working With Asylees: What Is an Accompaniment Team?
Accompany means “to go with, especially as a companion.” In a nutshell, that’s what Basilica Accompaniment Teams do: Walk with asylum seekers whose journeys have brought them to Minnesota.
Asylum seekers, also known as asylees, are people who have crossed the United States border and obtained permission to stay in the country by showing they have a credible fear for their lives and safety in their own country. They are legally allowed to stay until they have an asylum hearing before a judge, who will determine whether they can remain in the United States long term.
Basilica Accompaniment Teams are groups of four volunteers that get to know an individual asylee or family, help identify their needs, then provide support for the asylee or family for one year. The Basilica contributes financial resources to help with those needs.
Accompaniment Teams often provide support with:
Housing — Searching for and helping secure affordable housing. Frequently, the most urgent need for asylees is housing. They’re sometimes staying with another family and have been told they need to move out. The team will help the asylee find the best options for their housing by researching available apartments or other housing situations that fit the family’s needs, then help them move.
Furniture — Helping families determine the furniture and other household items they’ll need as they settle into the Twin Cities, then assisting them in securing those items from a local non-profit group.
Schooling/Language Services — Helping families determine which school their children should enroll in, connecting families with the appropriate resources in school districts, visiting the school, and helping make sure enrollment is complete.
For college-aged asylees, volunteers help complete enrollment at universities, community colleges, or trade schools.
For adults who aren’t in school, team members help find resources for English as a Second Language instruction, job preparation and training, and sometimes job placement.
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Job preparedness/searching — Linking to additional Basilica and other resources, and helping with interview preparation, resume writing, and job searching.
Health Care and Medical/Dental — Helping navigate the medical/dental system, accompanying asylees to medical/dental visits, finding affordable treatment, researching medical care coverage and low-cost options.
Clothing — Helping to secure appropriate clothing for Minnesota’s winter weather, especially heavy coats and snow boots.
Fellowship — Welcoming the asylee by having meals together, taking them to outings and local events, celebrating birthdays, throwing baby showers, and generally getting to know the family. Sometimes, long-lasting friendships develop.
Learn more about how you can help asylees settle in Minnesota at mary.org/refugee-immigration-ministry/.
Writers:
Betsy Hasselman is a member of the Immigrant Support Ministry and co-coordinator of the Accompaniment Teams that work with asylum seekers.
Amanda K., communications volunteer with the Immigrant Support Ministry. Amanda and her family have been members of the Basilica since 2011. She is also involved in the Basilica’s marketing committee, and has been part of the JustFaith ministry and an Eucharistic Minister.
Learn more about how you can help at mary.org/refugee-immigration-ministry/.