Under the auspices of the Faith in Action Committee, the parish is helping a refugee family from Afghanistan settle and integrate themselves in their new home in the U.S. The Azamis are a family of nine – a mother and father with seven children ranging in age from 7 to 22. They are living in an apartment in Prince George’s County not far over the D.C. line.
The Azamis’ transition to the U.S. is all the more difficult since the Trump administration has been severely cutting both the number of refugees admitted to the U.S. and the federal government’s financial support to contracted agencies for resettling refugees, such as the one we are working with for this family (Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area, which is a local refugee-resettlement agency of Global Refuge, which is also Lutheran-affiliated).
What sort of help are we providing?
The family had been in the U.S. for several months before their relationship with St. Margaret’s began, so they had already received assistance for and been connected to resources for their basic needs of housing, furniture and food. Our parish’s commitment is for several months during 2025. So at this point in their resettlement process, they will be needing assistance with the next level of support, such as acquiring jobs and English language skills.
The group that is steering our parish’s support of the family has determined several categories of assistance. Currently there is not an organized structure for parish members to plug into for involvement with the family, but we are working with people one-on-one who express a personal interest or professional experience in one of the areas listed below. To express interest in supporting the family in one of the areas below, email Penny Anderson, or speak to her another way.
Financial support (for anybody at any time – feel free to give as instructed below on your own!)
Your monetary support to the family can be given through St. Margaret’s by donating via Realm and selecting “Afghan Refugee Support” in the drop-down menu.
Funds given to this account will be used for:
- Making rent payments on the family’s apartment, which will address their housing needs while those old enough to work look for employment
- Transportation expenses – Metro or ride-share trips to medical appointments
Help with learning English
Help with finding jobs
Help with transportation
Cultural experiences and excursions
Something else
