Community Need
Ninety days to establish the foundation for a new life is not enough. Often this is the only support refugee resettlement agencies can offer families who have left behind everything they have ever known. The loss of extended family support systems, lack of familiarity with a new culture, language, and government systems, plus difficulty affording necessities are universal challenges refugees face during their first few years in the United States. Afghan Advantage and its partner WholeHeart Refugee Alliance step in to help bridge this gap until families are self-sufficient.
20 Example Ways to Welcome New Afghan Families
Families arrive from Afghanistan with very few possessions. They need to acquire basic necessities for the entire family, while simultaneously looking for employment. Their dream is to work hard and provide a safe and secure future for their family. Again and again, these families express their gratitude for friendship and support as they build a foundation for their new life in the United States. In our years of working with newly arrived families, we have found a consistent set of urgent needs.
Please reach out to us first so we can coordinate how you can best contribute. Thank you for welcoming our newest neighbors!
- Contribute to a safe transportation fund.
- Supply diapers once a month to a family with young children.
- Donate a laptop computer, tablet, or phone.
- Donate a functioning car to a family that needs one.
- Provide sturdy bunkbeds with a guardrail and mattresses.
- Host a virtual baby shower, or supply items for a newborn.
- Volunteer to transport furniture if you have a large van or truck.
- Provide a laundry basket with household cleaning and personal hygiene supplies.
- Donate shoes with a gift cards (Walmart/Target).
- Provide a new vacuum cleaner, space heater, blender, food processor, small citrus juicer, instant cooker, or standing mixer.
- Donate high quality basic kitchen items.
- Sewing machines and sewing kit.
- Put together a home repair toolbox.
- Provide a basket of children’s books and educational puzzles.
- Donate a bin of Legos.
- Put together an art kit for children.
- Support families who need help navigating information in English
- Be a career mentor.
- Be a language mentor.
- Support our most current tangible needs on our wish list.