LITERACY.
SELF-RELIANCE.
BELONGING.

OUR STORY:

In 2019, friendships between Afghan and American women in Tukwila, Washington sparked a grassroots movement.

Afghan Advantage (AA+) grew organically from years of hands-on, mobile problem-solving, rooted in community action. “Providing a path forward through teaching, teamwork, and trust,” was the motto of a volunteer interfaith community action network, the WholeHeart Refugee Alliance (WHRA), who began it all. They visited 700+ Afghan newcomers in their homes, offering friendship, apartment setup, employment assistance, and a neighborhood English class women could walk to with their youngest children.

As Afghan women gained stability, they joined the work “Shona Ba Shona” (Shoulder to Shoulder). Through the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 Taliban takeover, and beyond, this integrated team curated a list of trusted local resources and collaborated with agencies and regional nonprofits to address critical needs. By 2023, it was clear: the community needed more. A core group founded the women-led 501(c)3 Afghan Advantage (AA+) to fill service gaps they had witnessed firsthand. 84% of the AA+ team are educated Afghan women. Trust and mutual respect remain at the heart of creating effective, efficient, and empowering programs in Dari, Pashto, and English.

Annual Report

“I want to solve my own problems. Everything is new here. I take class with my neighbors. Now I can read. I’m not alone. My teacher speaks my language so I can ask questions until I understand. I can go on a bus and shop by myself. Before I never did that.”
~ Bibi Zewaro, Pods Literacy student and mother of 9

WASHINGTON WELCOMES AFGHAN ALLIES:

Established in 2023, Afghan Advantage (AA+) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization led by Afghan women and their Washington neighbors, dedicated to newcomer success and belonging. In the past decade, the Afghan immigrant population in the US has grown as allies from US military operations seek safety. Washington has welcomed 23,102 Afghan allies since 2018. King County is 1 of 4 counties in the US welcoming a combined 27% of all resettled Afghan refugees. AA+ provides effective, efficient, empowering programs for our newest neighbors.

WHO WE SERVE:

We provide culturally specific programs for thousands of Afghan women and girls in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties, many of whom face low literacy in their native language, no English proficiency, social isolation, and systemic discrimination rooted in Taliban-imposed gender apartheid. They are trailblazers with a passion to learn and contribute. AA+ exists to support their journey to independence and empowerment.

50% of our students have zero literacy. In Afghanistan, women have the world’s lowest literacy rate (22%) and rank last in human rights (UNESCO, 2023). There, it is unlawful for women to work, study, speak, shop, or travel.

Barriers persist in the U.S. when women denied education in Afghanistan are discouraged from learning English here.

90% are mothers and full-time caregivers; fewer than 5% can drive. Lack of transportation limits access to educational opportunities.

Our approach is holistic. AA+ programs center cultural, linguistic, academic, and social needs of Afghan women to ensure success for learners without native language literacy.

WOMEN-LED LEADERSHIP:

Afghan women are an untapped force for community leadership, contribution, and civic engagement. At AA+, 84% of our leadership, board, and staff are educated, professional Afghan women who live and work within the communities we serve. With firsthand experience as refugees, they understand the challenges of limited education, economic barriers, and systemic gender discrimination. Our team had experience directing this kind of work back in Afghanistan. By working “shona ba shona” (shoulder to shoulder), newcomers and established Washingtonians build a stronger, more inclusive community together.

COMMUNITY-DRIVEN PROGRAMS:

Demand and growth have been exponential. Enrollment increased 10-fold in one year. Multilingual access—instant translation in Dari, Pashto, and English, and design shaped by insights from 400+ local Afghan women, meet real, unmet needs. AA+ has a trusted reputation in the community. Word of mouth referrals, resource fairs, and AA+ social media, website, YouTube, and WhatsApp forums fill our programs and waitlist. Sustainability is a top priority.

Empowering newcomers with limited English and education through effective, efficient solutions for literacy, self-reliance, and belonging.

COMMUNITY NEEDS:

Thousands of Afghan women and girls in WA cannot speak English or read in any language, yet culturally informed English Language Learning (ELL) programs for low literacy learners are scarce. Many struggle in traditional ELL classes, often repeating level I without progress because elementary reading and writing skills are absent.

Social isolation negatively impacts mental and physical health (VSHSL, 2024). Many Afghan women have limited experience engaging in the community or leaving home independently. Isolation decreases with functional literacy and social support networks.

Transportation independence is critical for women who want to share family responsibilities, pursue education, secure employment, and achieve economic mobility. Navigating public transit and obtaining a driver’s license requires functional literacy. 99% of Afghan women have never driven.

Daily life is harder without literacy and/or English skills. From grocery shopping to managing finances, it limits access to essential information resources. Basic math and consumer education empower newcomers to participate more fully in their communities and build financial security.