Welcoming Afghan Refugees

From the synod’s Immigration Working Group:

A wide variety of support helps newly arriving Afghans.  Families have begun arriving locally, slowly but steadily.   Financial contributions are a high need right now!!  Also needed:  mentoring, English practice, advocacy,  and donations of household and personal items.   Pashto and Dari speakers are needed as translators.    Contact information for Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service and for the four most important Local agencies for this work are listed below. A list of the wide range of mentoring opportunities is at the end of this article.  Letters of welcome are encouraged also.    You might get to greet a family at the airport or set up an apartment.  Welcoming landlords are needed, too.

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service:

Help Afghan Refugees and Allies | 5 Ways to Make a Difference Today (lirs.org)

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service has resources for individuals and congregations for prayer, learning and advocacy.  Financial contributions  are needed, too to assist refugee before they get to Pittsburgh or another location . LIRS coordinates the national side of refugee resettlement.  Although local Lutheran social ministries do not have refugee programs, LIRS is a great resource for us to equip our congregations  with a Bible foundation and knowledge about refugee resettlement.

local agencies:

Jewish Family and Community Service   https://www.jfcspgh.org/  412.422.7200

The website has a tab at the top of the home page which takes you to the full list of possibilities and needs.  Very comprehensive and updated as families arrive.  The direct contact for staff coordinating donations of household items, baby needs and other gifts in kind  is  (412-508-6860 or ajkrobot@jfcspgh.org)  (412-616-8428 or cdonovan@jfcspgh.org). Texting is highly encouraged.

JFCS is also collecting letters welcoming our newest neighbors from Afghanistan.  Instructions for submitting a letter electronically are also on the JFCS website.   Letters  will be compiled in a book for each family.

 

AJAPO  http://www.ajapopittsburgh.org/   (412) 391-4985 or (412) 391-5184 or, if you prefer, send us an e-mail at info@ajapopittsburgh.org.

AJAPO has specialized in working with African immigrants.  They are also coordinating services for new Afghan families.  Needed donations of household and personal items are included in the JFCS online list.

 

Hello Neighbor  Hello Neighbor - Hello Neighbor     info@helloneighbor.io   (412) 426-5025    www.helloneighbor.io

Hello Neighbor specializes in mentoring, especially training and matching mentors with refugee families during  their first months and years in the United States.  Hello Neighbor now also works with newly arriving refugees.

 

Literacy Pittsburgh   www.literacypittsburgh.org  

Literacy Pittsburgh is equipping volunteers for English instruction.  Practicing English through informal conversation is included.    Their area of service is Allegheny and Beaver counties.    To volunteer, contact the Training Coordinator at 412-393-7645   or register on the website.  volunteer@literacypittsburgh.org

WAYS PEOPLE CAN VOLUNTEER:

In-Home Mentor

  • Support an individual or family to help them learn English and daily living skills

  • Have fun together and introduce them to the city of Pittsburgh

  • Work with adults, young adults entering the workforce, or high needs clients

  • Weekly visits to the client's home of 1-2 hours for at least six months

After School Mentor

  • Work with school-age English learners to complete homework and learn English while having fun

  • Support K-8 and high school youth

  • Minimum commitment of three sessions per month for one semester

Family Fun Events

  • Organize a party or outing to a Pittsburgh cultural institution (e.g. the Science Center, Andy Warhol Museum, etc.)

  • Accompany trips to events, the zoo, picnics, etc

  • Provide funding for event, supplies, and staff time

Appointment Partner

  • Help refugees travel to and from appointments (e.g. doctor, welfare, DMV, etc.)

  • Be a driver or ride the bus with the client

  • Appointments occur 9 am - 5 pm on weekdays, and take about 2-4 hours total

Cultural Orientation Mentor

  • Present about aspects of American culture in small group or one-on-one settings using interpretation (e.g. finances & banking, housing, employment, etc.)

Legal         

  • JFCS Immigration Legal Services is recruiting pro bono attorneys and volunteer to help fill out legal paperwork to assist with family reunification,SIV applications and green card applications for new arrivals.

SWPA Synod ELCA