Afghan Family Resettlement Financial Support
Afghan Family Resettlement at CDT
Overview
Thousands of Afghans fled their country when the US withdrew in 2022. These individuals and families began a long and uncertain journey in the hope of finding a safe life elsewhere, arriving in countries they most likely never planned to visit and learning a language they never expected to speak. The path for many involved stops at US military bases — in Germany to clear security and then Texas to wait for a sponsoring organization. The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) and Catholic Charities collaborated with Boston area mosques, churches, and synagogues to support the resettlement effort for thousands of families. Congregations Dorshei Tzedek and Hillel B'nai Torah assumed responsibility to help a young Afghan family of four.
Supporting an Afghan family aligns with our core values at CDT. Our kehillah (community) embodies chesed (lovingkindness), offering emotional and physical support to a family who had gone through such major trauma. Connecting not only to each other, but also acknowledging our connection to those outside our immediate community is a mitzvah. Supporting an Afghan family is our concrete way to live our responsibility to the broader community.
The family arrived in Boston on December 2, 2022. CDT volunteers found an apartment in Cambridge, furnished it, stocked the kitchen, and welcomed them at Logan Airport. A special thank you goes to all who made that effort possible. This initial stage would never have come together without the incredible support of the CDT and HBT communities.
Many CDT and HBT volunteers have continued to provide support, observing incredible progress toward the family's integration and independence. Milestones achieved during the first two years include:
- The oldest child enrolled in Headstart and acquired English language fluency in about 24 hours
- Mother and father have participated in intensive English classes and continue to make extraordinary progress
- The father not only secured a job at Whole Foods and as his English improved and as his work ethic became clear, he was promoted to a job with greater independence and responsibility
- The family found a community of friends beyond CDT through the Cambridge mosque
- After enrolling in Mass Health, the family has received regular medical and dental care
- The father underwent restorative knee surgery that made additional employment options possible
- The family moved to a more comfortable apartment in Cambridge with rent they can manage without subsidy
- They have swapped some of the original furniture donations for items found on Facebook Marketplace, at Household Goods and elsewhere to creating very cozy space that is better adapted to their needs and tastes
- Both children enrolled in the Cambridge Public School system
- The younger child is receiving support for his English speech development
The $56,000 that CDT raised was a critical foundation for these accomplishments. Volunteers have learned a lot along the way — it really "takes a village." Housing and work are just the beginning. Managing healthcare, benefits, banking, taxes, the legal system, etc. is difficult enough if you were born in the US, but as newly arrived refugees making one’s way through bureaucracies is overwhelming. CDT volunteers guided the way.
After two years in the Boston area the family is moving toward new rewards and challenges. The children are happily participating in all-day school programs. The family will welcome a new baby in January 2024. The father realizes that employment at Whole Foods will not provide opportunities to support a family of five; he is hoping to become licensed in a trade. The mom is excited to pursue a career of her own and exploring online study toward a career in healthcare while also home with the baby.
And perhaps one of the most exciting milestones of all, in December 2023 the family was granted political asylum, due in no small part to the support of CDT volunteer attorneys.
No words can express the rewards from involvement with this family. They have become part of the extended CDT family and the volunteers who have accompanied them have become part of their family.
You can still get involved!
While the family is becoming independent, there is sometimes a need for transportation to medical appointments that are beyond MBTA routes and for occasional childcare. Periodic needs for sorting out bureaucratic confusion also means dedicating some time to make phone calls on behalf of the family. If you are willing to be on a call list for occasional support, please contact the Leadership Team:
Leadership/Contacts
Co-Chair, Janet Penn (janetpenn559@gmail.com)
Co-Chair, Paul Hattis (paul.hattis@rcn.com)
VP Tikkun Olam, Liz Reisberg (reisberg@gmail.com)
Hillel B'nai Torah coordinator, Ruth Lederman (rlederman617@gmail.com)
Meryl Epstein (mjepstein44@gmail.com)
Tony Broh (c.anthony@broh.com)
Tue, February 18 2025
20 Shevat 5785
Family's Safety
Please do not disclose any identifying information about the family, including their ages, their first and/or their last names, or anything else that could possibly identify who they are. We have learned that the Taliban may be able to identify people just based upon their ages. Please also do not take any photos or share/post any photos of any members of the family. Lastly, please do not share the location of their apartment with anyone. This is all to protect their safety and the safety of their family members who are still in Afghanistan. It is critical that we all adhere to this request, as people’s lives could be put in danger. If you have any questions regarding this, please contact a member of the leadership team (see list at the bottom of this page).
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