We are excited to share that the Central Lutheran Church community is sponsoring an Afghan family of four who has just arrived in Minnesota after years of uncertainty and upheaval. Habib and Nahima, along with their children Tamana (11) and Mohammad (4), came to the U.S. through the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program. They are now lawful permanent residents and are beginning their new life here in Elk River.

Habib is a university-educated IT professional who worked for both American and Afghan institutions before the fall of the Afghan government. He speaks English and is eager to begin working here to support his family. His wife, Nahima, and their two children are excited to put down roots, enroll in school, and start their new chapter in safety.

While they bring tremendous resilience and hope, they arrived with very little. Starting over in a new country means they need almost everything:

Household basics (beds, linens, kitchen supplies, cleaning supplies)

Furniture (sofas, tables, chairs, dressers)

Food and groceries

Clothing for all four family members

School supplies for the children

Transportation support and other essentials as they get established

We are committed to walking alongside this family as they rebuild, but we need help from our wider community. Your gift — whether large or small — will make a direct impact in helping them create a safe, welcoming home and get off to a strong start.

How funds will be used:

Every dollar raised will go directly toward housing costs, furnishings, food, clothing, and other resettlement expenses. Our church team is managing the funds transparently and will ensure they are used to meet the family’s needs.

This is a chance to show hospitality in action! By helping Habib, Nahima, Tamana, and Mohammad, you are giving more than material things — you are giving safety, stability, and the warmth of community.

Thank you for considering being part of their new beginning here in Minnesota.