November 2, 2021 |News, Non-profits

The New American Association of Mass. Aims to Welcome Afghan Refugees | November 2, 2021

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A local agency with a long history of welcoming refugees and immigrants to the North Shore is poised to assist Afghan arrivals in the coming weeks. The New American Association of Massachusetts (NAAM) will assist in finding housing and jobs, offering language training and cultural supports to help Afghan refugees adjust to their new home.

Thousands of Afghan citizens were employed by the United States and its contractors during the 20 years of U.S. involvement in Afghanistan. With the Taliban now in control, they are at extreme risk. For those lucky enough to have been able to evacuate, they now face the challenges of adapting to life in the United States. NAAM will assist Afghan refugee families and individuals with integrating into American society, offering them guidance and training to reach economic stability.

“These Afghan allies risked their lives to support the American campaign in Afghanistan, and NAAM stands ready to support them in their adjustment to life on the North Shore. We expect around 1,000 Afghan to settle in Massachusetts, with a significant number on the North Shore,” said NAAM Executive Director Natasha Soolkin. “The biggest challenge is to find housing in this very tight housing market. We are also collecting home goods, kitchen equipment and electronic devices,” she continued. Any offer of help with housing, including referrals for vacant apartments, will be of great help. Previous groups of immigrants assisted by NAAM have worked incredibly hard and become contributing members of our community. We anticipate the same happening with this new group of refugees from Afghanistan, she noted.

“As a recent refugee from Afghanistan, I cannot say enough about how much the New American Association has helped me in my resettlement in the U.S. My family is now fleeing the Taliban and I am praying for their arrival here. I am so grateful that NAAM continues to support me on my path to citizenship and that they are here to welcome my family and provide them with all the support they will need to rebuild their lives in this country.”, said Arman Alizada.

NAAM welcomes volunteers and donations of supplies and financial contributions to support its efforts. Donations will be targeted to rental assistance as that is currently the greatest need. Housing is especially challenging to locate, and NAAM welcomes any leads, suggestions or offers to host families on a temporary basis. NAAM can be reached at (781) 593-0100, ext, 718 or info@naamass.org

Here the ways you can make a donation:

• To make a donation via PayPal please click here. In the Note section please indicate that your donation should be directed to help Afghani evacuees.
• If you prefer to pay by a check or money order, please make it payable to NAAM and mail it to the New American Association of MA, 330 Lynnway, Suite 302, Lynn, MA 01901, attn. Natasha Soolkin. In the Memo section please indicate that your donation should be directed to help Afghani evacuees.

The above press release was submitted to us by the New American Association of MA.