COLLABORATION 3.0: WELCOME NEWLY ARRIVED AFGHANS
At the beginning or 2021, our team had the privilege of meeting some of the newest members of our community—60 Afghan families living in two hotels near BWI airport. Through delivering food, clothing, and other resources to these families, we have had the privilege of hearing their stories, developing new friendships and discovering the complex challenges newly arrived Afghans are facing as they resettle in the United States. This compelled us to launch Collaboration 3.0.
LEARN MORE ABOUT COLLABORATION 3.0
-
HELP US REACH OUR GOAL OF $450,000
Obtaining permanent housing is both a critical need and a critical milestone for newly arrived Afghans. We want to make the transition from hotel rooms to permanent housing possible by providing each family with the initial financial resources to cover 3 months’ rent and other costs like utilities. To make this a reality, our goal is to raise $7,500 for each of the 60 Afghan families to ensure that as they navigate the initial steps of the resettlement process they are able to do so with the security of having a place to call home.
Every donation is tax-deductible and will go toward helping families like Munir’s reach the critical milestone of having their own home.
-
The second focus is long-term and involves developing a model to help churches welcome newly arrived Afghans as valued members of the community. Our desire is to help churches form Welcome Circles (Family Support Circle) built on the foundation of friendship Jesus talked about.
A Welcome Circle is a group of people who welcome an Afghan family into their lives. Having had to flee their country, Afghan refugees may be experiencing the loss of safety, security, and, perhaps most important, the loss of community. Through sharing life together, learning from each other, and supporting each other as equals, Welcome Circles can play a role in providing Afghan refugees with the empowering social resources that come from being a part of a caring community.
-
Our collaborative partner, Luminus Network for New Americans, has developed the Afghan Alliance of Maryland. It’s an easy way for individuals and groups to volunteer their time and skills to help newly arrived Afghans resettle in Maryland.