How Community Foundations are Helping to Support Afghan Refugees
As thousands of Afghan families continue to resettle in the U.S. after being evacuated from their country, community foundations across the country are assisting refugees by collecting and distributing donations to local nonprofits – which will help them make a smoother transition.
The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida for example, received a $1 million commitment from three generations of J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver’s family.
Through the community foundation, two agencies – Catholic Charities and Lutheran Social Services – were each awarded $500,000 to assist with housing, transportation, wrap-around services, basic furniture, and emergency needs.
“We take seriously our role to inform our donors about pressing issues as they arise, and to connect them to nonprofit organizations that are on the front lines with solutions,” said Nina Waters, president of The Community Foundation of Northeast Florida. “We are privileged to be able to serve as that connector, and thereby benefit the entire community.”
Other community foundations are also making efforts to help aid a smoother transition for Afghan refugees.
For instance, in Wisconsin, the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region has already taken a number of steps to support its new Afghan neighbors by awarding a $25,000 capacity building grant to World Relief Fox Valley that will assist with the local refugee resettlement efforts.
In addition to remaining in communication with area community foundation colleagues, the community foundation’s most recent podcast discussed the challenges refugees continue to face upon settling in a new place and the many ways the Fox Valley community is helping.
Cleveland
The Cleveland Foundation has awarded a number of grants to aid in the support of resettlement efforts, legal services, basic needs, and medical assistance to refugees.
Smart Development Inc. was awarded a $100,000 grant to expand organizational capacity and provide responsive support to Afghan refugees.
Asian Services in Action, Inc. was awarded a grant of $50,000 to continue in the support of pro bono legal services for Afghan refugees and their families in Cleveland.
The Refugee Response was awarded a $50,000 grant for the administration and implementation of immediate supportive services for Afghan refugees settling in Greater Cleveland, including housing and job assistance, as well as helping families with basic and medical needs.
Global Cleveland was awarded a $50,000 grant to oversee the legal and visa-related guidance for Afghan refugees moving to Cleveland and coordinate efforts between Global Cleveland and other partners.
Rhode Island
The Rhode Island Foundation is supporting Afghan refugees through Afghan Relief Rhode Island, a statewide effort that has raised nearly $1.5 million to support basic needs for children and adults arriving in Rhode Island.
Utah
The Community Foundation of Utah’s Utah Afghan Community Fund (UACF) is the result of community-driven solutions to provide critical services and resources to ensure the welcome and wellbeing of Afghan humanitarian parolees arriving in Utah.