♥️ to the Afghan refugees in Skokie

“As you grow older, you discover what are your two hands for; one for helping yourself, the other one for helping others.♥️"

In February 2022, I came across a social media post encouraging people to help Afghan refugee families coming to Chicago. They supported the US military efforts during the war in Afghanistan, working side by side with American soldiers. When the US government withdrew the army from the country in August 2021, the lives of the families were threatened by the repercussions of the Taliban, and they fled to find safety.

I felt compelled to help by teaching English at the local hotel where they were temporarily housed. The time I spent each day with seven families was a powerful experience of human connection and the beginning of many new relationships. Seeing the families uprooted, traumatized, hopeless and dealing with survival guilt while missing home was heartbreaking.

Fast-forward to May 2023, I am more engaged than ever. Teaching English transitioned to full-time daily support on all levels, with the main goal for families to have an ally as they work on developing self-reliance. I am now directly connected to about 150 adults and children. People often ask me: “Aren’t there agencies to help?” My support is about filling in the gaps. The close relationships with the families help me understand how they need to be supported to feel successful and independent.

“Can’t the families figure it out by themselves?” Afghan refugees are coming from a country torn by decades-long wars, lacking literacy, and the women very often dependent on their husbands, bound to family life only. A few are equipped with higher education, yet starting from scratch while improving their English. Some deal with another layer of trauma being separated from their loved ones which is preventing them from fully embracing their new lives. The overwhelming administrative process in the United States is so foreign and contradictory to their own culture and is the number one obstacle to accessing support. An emphatic guidance seems so essential as they are making the United States their home, exploring the options towards a successful future and becoming productive members of society. Sometimes, they just need a friend.

My support to Afghan adults and children covers broadly all aspects of life:

- All things school related, from early intervention, childcare solutions, academic challenges, to being a partner to the high schoolers.

- Adult education: English, tutoring, mentorship groups, CDL class

- Driving classes for women in their language

- Driver’s Ed for teenagers

- Job search/placement for adults and HS students, and coaching for success

- Medical care appointments, medical guidance, helping with administration

- Rental assistance

- Ongoing search for resources available to low-income families

- Communication with relocation agencies

- Relationships with landlords

- Apartment search and moving

- Furniture, household items and clothing donations

- Volunteer Coordination - THANK YOU to all the amazing people for giving your time and talents to this cause!

I appreciate the collaborations with many organizations and the many wonderful people representing them: Niles Township • Village of Skokie • School District 69 • High School d219 • Oakton College • Winnetka Presbyterian Church • UMMA – Urban Muslim Minority Alliance • REACH – Refugee Adventure Camps • Building Peaceful Bridges • The Human Element Foundation • Mosaic Private Preschool • Brighter Smile Dentistry • NorthShore Dentistry for Children • Erie Clinic • North Shore Senior Center • Northwestern Driving School

Some of the successes in the past 15 months:

♥️ Support to about 25 families, about 150 adults and children.

♥️ I connected families to $90K through financial aid and special projects.

♥️ I helped 15 families to receive rental assistance.

♥️ I helped 14 people to find steady jobs they are succeeding in.

♥️ I filled up 40+ school registrations and accompanied most kids on the 1st day.

♥️ I started an English class for Afghan ladies, now running for the 10th month.

♥️ 30 adults encouraged to study.

♥️ Over 140 dental appointments scheduled.

♥️ Over 120 medical appointments scheduled.

♥️ Over 30 bikes were fixed and delivered to the happy recipients.

♥️ 8 women now have driving licenses Impossible dream if they were in Afghanistan.

People sometimes ask why I am putting so much time into this effort. My parents passed away early on and I was way too young to be figuring things out on my own, not having any support system until my adulthood. I believe that having someone in your corner can make a lifetime of difference. I feel that I found my calling through this effort and I hope to take this work to another level. My hope is that the Afghan children and especially the girls will be growing up in well-adjusted families with opportunities as I continue my support and advocacy.

Here are the current fundraising goals:

Dental services for 7 adults not covered by insurance (deep cleaning, root canals, and dentures: $10,500

ESL Dari speaking teacher for online classes for a young girl left behind in Afghanistan: $1,300

Season swim passes for the families at the community pool: $4,000

Diaper and formula needs for newborns: $4,000

Household items when I can not source through actual donations: $2,000

Transportation (Uber) for frequent medical appointments especially for women and children and occasional U-Haul truck rental: $2,000

Administrative fees: $1,200

THANK YOU ALL FOR READING, please consider a donation and please pass it FORWARD to your friends ♥️ ♥️ ♥️. "When we pool our strength and share the work and responsibility, we can welcome many people and help them find self-confidence, independence, as well as inner healing.”

(Clip from Iftar dinner hosted by Building Peaceful Bridges, where I talk to the families about our journey together).