Communities of Care

Social isolation, access to social services, and identifying affirming care providers have remained significant barriers for the integration success of LGBTQI+ migrants who have relocated to the US and Canada. Rainbow Railroad’s Communities of Care initiative is an array of post-relocation support offerings that center these needs as we mobilize volunteers to support LGBTQI+ asylum seekers and other LGBTQI+ migrants living in the United States and Canada.

The Communities of Care program will enlist and build the capacity of LGBTQI+ and ally volunteers to provide social connections, emotional support, and service referrals for LGBTQI+ refugees, asylum seekers, and asylees in the domains of housing, employment, education, healthcare, legal assistance, and more. The Communities of Care initiative encompasses the Community Support Team (CST) program, the Community Access Fund (CAF), the Rainbow Housing Drive, the Housing and Livelihood Assistance Fund (HLAF), and the Queer Refugee Community Support Network (QRCSN).

Community Support Teams (CST): A Community Support Team (CST) is a volunteer group of 3 or more individuals who commit to providing at least 6 months of community integration support to an LGBTQI+ asylum seeker. With technical and financial support from Rainbow Railroad staff, CSTs will connect program participants directly to available social services and introduce them to community spaces. While each CST’s exact support will be tailored to the community member they’re paired with, the CST program ensures that beneficiaries will receive direct cash assistance, housing, education and employment support, community access, and mental and physical health support. 

Currently, Rainbow Railroad will accept LGBTQI+ client referrals for the CST program directly from partner organizations in one of the designated hub cities (United States: New York, DC, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area; Canada: Greater Toronto Area). Unfortunately, we are not able to accept self-referrals into the program at this time. 

Individuals who are interested in forming a CST can watch the CST Orientation Training at your own pace here and then fill out a team application on our website here. If you have questions or would like to request a meeting with a Rainbow Railroad staff person, please email community@rainbowrailroad.org. 

Community Access Fund (CAF): The CAF provides microgrants directly to service providers, community activists, and grassroots organizations in order to help meet the needs of LGBTQI+ asylum seekers and other queer migrants in the US and Canada. Awardees may be granted up to $10,000. 

Rainbow Housing Drive: Affordable housing access and stability is an issue for LGBTQI+ across the US and Canada – regardless of immigration status. In order to best support individuals enrolled in the CST program, those who are housing insecure will have the option of staying in volunteer housing. This will help facilitate more opportunities to build enduring stability. Individuals, groups, or organizations who are interested in providing access to housing should register with the Rainbow Housing Drive to learn more. 

Housing and Livelihood Assistance Fund (HLAF): LGBTQI+ migrants experience additional barriers to accessing housing and secure employment. HLAF will be available to LGBTQI+ migrants across the US and Canada facing immediate insecurity. Currently, Rainbow Railroad will accept HLAF applicants directly from partner organizations. Organizations interested in becoming a referral partner should email lmosman@rainbowrailroad.org. 

Queer Refugee Community Support Network (QRCSN): Launching in the US, Canada, France, and Germany, the QRCSN fosters peer to peer support groups between soon-to-arrive LGBTQI+ refugees and asylum seekers, to those who have already begun their immigration and integration processes. Our volunteer leaders will help LGBTQI+ newcomers access in-country resources, answer questions, and be a first community touch point for future arrivals.