Assisting Afghan Refugees
Assisting Afghan Refugees
Thousands of Afghans seeking asylum have entered Northern Virginia since August 2021. Fairfax Circle Church has developed a coalition of support from generous church and community supporters to assist in welcoming Afghan families and individuals. We currently support 7 families in Fairfax and Alexandria through collaboration with organization such as Fresh Start Refugee, RISE, NoVA RAFT, Lutheran Social Services, and React DC.
Donate
Fairfax Circle Church has been instrumental in welcoming and impacting the lives of Afghan refugees who have relocated to Northern Virginia since the Taliban takeover. Afghan families are still arriving to the DMV are and continue to need furniture, household items, clothing, winter gear, etc. We just received requests for help from 2 families that just relocated to Alexandria from Afghanistan. Please consider a one-time or monthly donation to our Refugee Fund to support essential needs for these families. As of December 2024, Fairfax Circle is supporting 7 families (35 individuals) by providing furniture, clothing, kitchen and household items, rental assistance, technology, driving lessons, and more!
Wish Lists: Please consider purchasing an item for one of our newest families through Target or Amazon!
The Lutheran Social Services Resource Center in Alexandria accepts donations of gently used or new clothing for adults and children, diapers, formula, sheets, towels, and other household items to provide to new families. Access the full list of items and donation information here.
English as a Second Language Classes
Learning English is key for our Afghan refugee friends and Fairfax Circle is working to help mentor through English lessons. In addition to supporting school age students in tutoring programs through NoVA RAFT, we are currently partnering with RISE, a non-profit program that supports Afghan refugees in various ways. RISE works to support Afghans through online tutoring sessions locally and across the world in Afghanistan! RISE equips tutors to work with individuals or small groups of Afghan adults on a weekly basis through Zoom meetings. They help to connect English language-learners with available tutors and provide curriculum and other support as needed. Please email marsha@fairfaxcirclechurch.org for more information!
Volunteer Opportunities
Living in Northern Virginia is challenging for these newcomers. Volunteers can help in various ways such as: helping to set-up an apartment, moving furniture, donating items, mentoring an individual or family that needs support with medical or social services, or tutoring adults or children in English. Afghan immigrants are extremely hospitable and motivated to learn English and get jobs. If you would like to get involved in directly assisting this community, please email marsha@fairfaxcirclechurch.org or fill out this Volunteer Form.
Impact
- Rental assistance
- Computers
- Driving classes
- Household items
- Diapers and infant supplies
- Home Furnishings
- Bed and Bathroom Items
- Kitchen supplies
- Clothing and Shoes
- Coats
- And more!
