A new federal program is helping everyday American's lend a hand to refugees looking to settle in the U.S.

On Thursday, the State Department announced  a new program called Welcome Corps.

It's a pilot program that allows private citizens or groups the ability to sponsor refugees from around the world.

The program is modeled after the work done by refugee resettlement programs such as Hearts and Homes for Refugees in Westchester. The nonprofit depends on volunteers and fundraising to support refugee resettlement in the Hudson Valley.

"There is massive need on a global level for refugee welcoming so this model of community sponsors or sponsor circles or even private citizens addresses the global challenge on a local level," says Kathie O'Callaghan, of Hearts & Homes for Refugees, 

In the initial phase of the program, private sponsors will be paired with refugees already approved for resettlement in the U.S.           

The goal is to mobilize 10,000 Americans as private sponsors in the first year of the program.