In mid-September three siblings from Afghanistan flew to Boston, to seek safety and asylum after a year-long wait on a U.S. military base overseas. In a last-minute decision, within days of the announcement that the U.S.’s humanitarian parole program for Afghan refugees was ending, these young adults were matched with our volunteer group, via the Sponsor Circle resettlement initiative. Three weeks later, they were joined by their mother and teenage sister.

We now have the pleasure of getting to know this warm, close-knit family, and the responsibility of providing logistical, financial, and moral support as they face a daunting pile of competing pressures: learn our alphabet and language, find jobs and earn high school diplomas or the equivalent, and learn to navigate Boston buses, trains, bureaucracy, social customs, and weather, all while processing the hardships and dislocations of the past year.

Sponsor circle members help connect families with the local healthcare system, public benefits system, school systems, and legal assistance. Other responsibilities include helping secure housing and employment, providing basic necessities (furniture, clothing, food etc.), supporting English language acquisition, and general moral support, community orientation, and friendship.

One of the jobs of the sponsor circle is to raise funds for the family, which is why I'm reaching out to you. Donating to this fund will help start the family off with food, rent, bills, clothing, etc. so they have a safe situation to land in. Most of the funds will go towards rent while they stabilize and search for work. Any and all help is appreciated!