Kingfield Neighborhood Association

Interested in Being part of a Grassroots Sponsor circle for Afghan Refugees?

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Come to the virtual meeting on Monday December 13 at 7pm on Zoom.  Register for more details.  Interested but can’t make it? Sign up anyways so you will be on the list as more information rolls out!
These groups are being organized by Solomon’s Porch, 100 West 46th Street, in cooperation with Sponsor Circles. 
 
In September of 2021 after a US withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan the Taliban retook full control of the country forcing many Afghan peoples to flee. Thousands of Afghan refugees were evacuated out by US armed forces but many more were left to flee across borders causing a new wave of refugees seeking safety in neighboring or far off countries.

Here in the US,  thousands and thousands of Afghan refugees have been flown into military bases across the country awaiting resettlement. They are tired, grieving, traumatized. As states struggle to resettle these refugees many are ill prepared after years of almost no refugee resettlement. The agencies that usually did this work have been gutted by the financial cuts and are overwhelmed at their diminished capacities. In response, the federal government launched two new initiatives in an effort to have all Afghan refugees off of military bases by February of 2022. These initiatives include utilizing local non-profits through state coordination to help resettle and a community Sponsor Circles initiative.

Sponsor Circles are grass root, community led resettlement circles for newly arriving Afghan refugees. The premise is 5 or more adults coming together to provide a comprehensive resettlement effort for at least a single family. This means greeting and picking up the sponsor family at the airport. Finding, furnishing, and settling a family into their new home. Helping them navigate and learn all the intricacies of life here in America, from utilizing buses, enrolling their children into school, and finding resources to support their transition. It includes taking them to appointments at government institutes, helping them enroll in eligible benefits, and securing jobs. It also means helping raise funds for this initial work through your personal networks. And if this all sounds like a lot, it is understandable. That is why there are at least 5 of us working together to support at least one family.

Together, we have the opportunity to love, welcome, and walk alongside people. To build relationships with them and help them feel welcome and secure in their new home. To meet them as more than just a displaced person but as a human being worthy of dignity, worth, and love. If you are at all interested in being a part of a team(s) to come around a family then please join us Monday night December 13 at 7pm for a virtual introduction and Q/A session.

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwtceuvrjoqGdFnZ88gdzLHND-GQ2wDoZzn 

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

This will be an opportunity for you to ask questions and learn if this is a good fit for you and to start the organizing of a group(s) to welcome our Afghan neighbors!“