Faith, Veteran, and Service Organizations Join Welcome.US to Mobilize Americans to Serve as Citizen Guides

Veterans groups, faith communities, and civic organizations unite on Citizenship Day to help aspiring Americans prepare for U.S. citizenship.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, on Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, Welcome.US, a nonpartisan national initiative that mobilizes American volunteers to help welcome immigrant neighbors in their new communities, officially launched its Citizen Guide program alongside a cross-sector coalition of faith, service, and veteran groups. Rooted in a call to community service and civic engagement for our nation's 250th anniversary, Citizen Guides are trained volunteers matched one-on-one with eligible lawful permanent residents preparing for American citizenship.

Rotary International, The National Association of Evangelicals, GoFundMe.org, GivingTuesday, Blue Star Families, Braver Angels, No One Left Behind, Combined Arms, Foreign-Born Military Spouse Network, Church World Service, World Relief, Be The People, and More Perfect will help recruit volunteers, bringing the Citizen Guide opportunity to their communities in ways aligned with their missions–through employee volunteer programs, civic education and engagement initiatives, and outreach to members, veterans, military families, and congregations. Together, these organizations represent millions of Americans in all 50 states, inspired to assist aspiring Americans on the final leg of their journey to becoming American citizens.

Over the next three years, nearly 13 million immigrants are or will be eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship. The process is complex and difficult to navigate without personal support. The citizenship interview itself–a test of English language proficiency and knowledge of U.S. history, culture, and civics–can be among the most intimidating steps. The naturalization process is rigorous, and personalized preparation remains out of reach for many aspiring citizens.

"Choosing U.S. citizenship is one of the most consequential commitments a person can make to this country, and helping someone prepare for that commitment is a profoundly American act," said Nazanin Ash, CEO of Welcome.US. "Partners are joining for reasons rooted in their own values. Civic and service organizations know that participation and personal connection make communities stronger. Veterans are committed to service and recognize the dedication of noncitizen service members who have defended this country. Faith communities are called to welcome the stranger and love their neighbors. Businesses recognize the contributions of people who work, build, and put down roots. And Citizen Guides themselves embody the idea that citizenship is not just something we possess, it is something we practice. What we share in common are love of country, its founding ideals, and its promise to new generations of Americans. We are honored and deeply proud to partner with organizations from every corner of American life to give Americans across the country a way to put those values into action–and help aspiring citizens write their own American story."

Rotary International is collaborating with Welcome.US in this initiative, building on its longstanding commitment to service and strong communities. "Rotary has always believed that strong communities are built on welcoming and supporting newcomers, values my family has experienced firsthand when my parents came to this country as Ukrainian refugees," said John Hewko, General Secretary of Rotary International. "Helping a neighbor under these circumstances is exactly the kind of meaningful, personal service that defines what it means to be a Rotarian. This new initiative is simple, practical, and relational—qualities research shows make Americans most likely to volunteer—so anyone with time and a willingness to show up can make a difference."

"For evangelicals, welcoming the stranger is not just an idea. It is a biblical calling of hospitality and a reflection of how God has welcomed us. Citizen Guides create opportunities for ordinary Americans to come alongside their immigrant neighbors with encouragement, friendship and practical support," said Walter Kim, President of the National Association of Evangelicals. "This is what people of faith are good at doing: building relationships, walking alongside others, and helping them thrive. These neighbors have an extraordinary loyalty to and affection for our nation and have followed the rules leading to their pursuit of citizenship. We believe many evangelicals will embrace this opportunity to put their faith into action."

"Welcoming newcomers is both an act of kindness and a deeply American tradition," said Margaret Richardson, Chair of the Board of GoFundMe.org. "Since 2021, GoFundMe.org has been proud to serve as a charitable partner to Welcome.US, hosting several funds that support newcomers and their sponsors in communities across the country. We are pleased to play a role in this next chapter of Welcome.US's work helping lawful permanent residents prepare for citizenship."

"More than 700,000 veterans are immigrants themselves, and all four of my grandparents immigrated to the United States, so this is personal for me," said Kathy Roth-Douquet, CEO of Blue Star Families. "Blue Star Families is honored to join Welcome.US as a national launch partner for the Citizenship Initiative, especially given its dedicated support for veterans, service members, and military families pursuing naturalization. We are a nation made great by immigrants."

"Reds and Blues in Braver Angels' Common Ground Workshops on Immigration are finding broad agreement that immigrants following the legal process of becoming a U.S. citizen should have the opportunity to learn English and understand America's history, government, and civic traditions," said Sam Rechek, Braver Angels Director of Strategic Partnerships. "Braver Angels is glad to encourage courageous citizens everywhere to consider volunteering as a Citizen Guide. It's a positive and practical way for Americans who love their country to contribute constructively and to help an aspiring citizen take an important step toward becoming an American."

"Our Afghan and Iraqi allies risked everything alongside American troops, and thousands of them are now green card holders preparing for the citizenship interview," said Andrew Sullivan, Executive Director of No One Left Behind and a U.S. Army veteran of the war in Afghanistan and the Iraq War. "Getting them to safety was the first mission; citizenship completes it. No One Left Behind is joining Citizen Guides because veterans do not leave their people behind."

"The United States asked these men and women to serve before it made them citizens, and 115,000 of them served honorably without ever finishing the process. Combined Arms and Welcome.US are closing that gap," said Combined Arms CEO and Army veteran Mike Hutchings. "This is civic after service: for some veterans, the next chapter is becoming a citizen. For others, it is sitting down with a fellow veteran or an aspiring American and helping them get there. Both are service." Together, Combined Arms and Welcome.US will use Combined Arms' technology platform and veteran network to connect military-connected green card holders—including veterans, active-duty service members, and military spouses—with citizenship resources and Citizen Guides, while recruiting veterans to serve as volunteer mentors.

"Foreign-born military spouses cross borders to stand beside the uniform, often navigating military life, a new culture, and the path to citizenship all at once," said Lydiah Owiti-Otienoh, Founder and CEO of the Foreign-Born Military Spouse Network. "Joining the Citizen Guides initiative allows us to connect more military spouses with the practical guidance, personal encouragement, and community they need to move from uncertainty to confidence. When foreign-born spouses can thrive and participate fully in American life, their families, the military community, and our country are stronger."

"From the very beginning, the story of our nation has been one of newcomers finding home and building community together. By pairing trained volunteers with lawful permanent residents on their path to citizenship, Welcome.US's Citizen Guide honors this history and the values this country was built on," said Rick Santos, President and CEO of Church World Service. "At a moment when so many of our immigrant neighbors feel abandoned, this initiative is a tangible statement of welcome, providing important support and reestablishing a sense of unity."

"As Christians, we believe we are called to welcome the stranger, and as Americans, we embrace the privilege of walking alongside our newest neighbors as they get to journey through the citizenship process," commented Myal Greene, President and CEO of World Relief, a refugee resettlement agency and Christian humanitarian organization. "We're grateful to partner with Welcome.US to implement the Citizen Guide programming and witness firsthand the transformative relationships that come out of supporting a new American during such a crucial season."

"Be The People is proud to partner on this important initiative," said Brian Hooks, a founding co-chair of Be The People's National Leadership Council. He added, "By giving Americans the opportunity to support those who have come here to build a better life for themselves and their families, they're bringing out the best in our country – showing that as Americans, we succeed by helping others succeed."

"Since the founding of the United States, newcomers have enriched our democracy and helped create a more perfect union," said John Bridgeland, Founder & CEO of More Perfect. "We are thrilled to join with Welcome.US to support their Citizen Guide campaign, given their track record of helping to mobilize 2 million Americans across 26,000 zip codes to sponsor and support refugees and newcomers. Together, we can offer Americans a new way to serve -- by helping aspiring citizens take the final steps toward full participation in our democracy."

After completing orientation and training, Citizen Guide volunteers are matched with an aspiring citizen for a structured series of at least 10 virtual sessions. For about an hour a week, they serve as an English Conversation Partner, Citizenship Test Prep Tutor, and/or Citizenship Interview Prep Mentor—practicing English, studying civics, preparing for the naturalization interview, and providing the steady encouragement that can make a complex process feel possible.

The initiative is also supported by foundation and private-sector partners whose investments are helping Welcome.US build the tools, training, and outreach needed to bring Citizen Guides to communities nationwide.

To volunteer as a Citizen Guide or seek support as a green card holder, visit welcome.us/citizenship.

About Welcome.US
Welcome.US is a national initiative built to inspire, mobilize, and empower Americans and American institutions from all corners of the country to welcome newcomers and help them thrive in the United States. Since 2021, more than two million Americans have stepped forward as Welcomers, including community sponsors helping newcomers resettle and build new lives while strengthening local communities. Through Citizen Guides, Welcome.US is bringing that same spirit of practical, personal community engagement to aspiring citizens. To learn more, visit Welcome.US.

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SOURCE Welcome.US