Help an Afghan Refugee Family Resettle

We're a group of New Yorkers who have taken on an exciting but daunting task: Helping a family of Afghans -- mom, dad, and three little kids -- begin new lives in the United States. We're hoping you want to help, too.

 

Under a new program, average Americans can form a Sponsor Circle and take on the role of a refugee resettlement agency. This has cleared the way for many more people in need to find safe harbor in the United States (you can read more about the program here ). The Trump administration gutted refugee resettlement; this program is one of the few quick ways refugees can reach safety and begin to build stable lives.

 

Every member of our group has a personal connection to refugee issues. Some of us are the children or grandchildren of refugees. Many of us have worked in refugee and conflict settings, and have seen just how cruel it is to leave human beings in the limbo of war and uncertainty. A few of us have covered the war in Afghanistan and its wind-down, and are desperate to do what we can to right the many wrongs innocent Afghans have faced.

 

As a Sponsor Circle, we are responsible for assisting the newcomers with housing, furniture, clothing, English language classes, school enrollment, social services, healthcare, employment, and much more, until they can sustain themselves. Your donations will go to all of these efforts.

 

There are two ways to donate. If you don't need a tax write-off and want your money to be available to the newcomer family as soon as possible, please use this GoFundMe. If a tax write-off would help, you can donate through our wonderful partner, the Arab-American Family Support Center -- just please be sure to select "Afghan Sponsor Circle" from the drop-down donation menu.

 

Thank you so very much in advance for your generosity. We, and a lovely new family in our NYC community, are so grateful.

 

With thanks,

George Packer

Laura Secor

Andrew Michaelson

Juliette Michaelson

Ty McCormick

Jill Filipovic

David Herbert

Clarissa Seabag-Montefiore