Championing the Power and Potential of ‘Natural Helpers’: A Guide

Natural Helpers programs recognize the crucial role immigrant and refugee leaders fulfill as informal “helpers’’ in their communities by formalizing, supporting, and expanding their capacity for civic leadership.

This guide presents promising practices from interviews with Natural Helpers program coordinators and lessons learned from the Natural Helpers communities of practice convened by Welcoming America.

Three communities — Portland, Maine, Lincoln, Nebraska, and Aurora, Colorado — offer ideas and inspiration for others interested in launching innovative Natural Helpers and My City Academy programs.

Use this guide for step-by-step support and resources to build inclusive and cohesive communities across the country.

, Equitable Access, Government and Community Leadership