Who We Are
Our Story
It Started With A Welcome...
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Welcome House began in 2021 when a small group of individuals felt led to welcome the 450 refugees and Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders arriving in our city from Afghanistan. The community quickly rallied, and within six months 80 families were greeted with a welcome basket, clothing, shoes, and a coat for every member of the household. Each family was also invited into friendship through an English teacher or American friend who could help them navigate life in a new country.
More than 60 volunteers began meeting with families for friendship and language lessons—sharing meals, navigating paperwork, celebrating milestones, and building friendships that, over time, felt more like family. Through these relationships we witnessed the real challenges of starting over: learning English, finding employment, understanding unfamiliar systems, and adjusting to a new culture.
As word spread, neighbors from other refugee communities—including families from Congo, Syria, Sudan, and Somalia—began asking for the same kind of friendship and support. Their requests revealed a greater need in our city. In response, Welcome House was established as a nonprofit in 2025 to continue building relationships that help refugees and immigrants experience belonging, opportunity, and empowerment.
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Today, our work is shaped by the needs and requests of our neighbors, with a growing focus on language development and other empowerment opportunities that equip new neighbors to thrive.
Our Purpose
Welcome House empowers resettled refugees through friendship and educational support to rebuild their lives and thrive in our community.
Our Vision
A thriving community where resettled refugees in Wichita feel at home, empowered, and supported as they build a new future filled with opportunity and belonging.