USAHello.org and Welcome.US: Two Helpful Online Tools for our Refugee Friends and U.S. Locals who are Welcoming them
USAHello.org
A free online center for refugees and immigrants of all backgrounds. The nonprofit website offers information and education in Arabic, Chinese, Persian/Dari, French, Pashto, Spanish, and Vietnamese to help you reach your goals in the United States. USAHello.org is your home for trusted information and free online classes you can count on to help you build a bright future in the United States.
Find resources near you on https://find.usahello.org/#/list.
Search for job advice, lawyers, healthcare, English classes and other services near you. FindHello has help and services for immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers and undocumented people in the USA.
Afghan Resource Center
This Resource Center is also translated in:
The Afghan Resource Center offers practical information and resources for newly arriving Afghans to the USA. Find information in English, Dari, or Pashto on services and benefits, immigration, jobs, daily life, American culture, U.S. laws, money, health, and education. Use our FindHello app to connect to local services in cities across the country. Find help for every status including Special Immigrant Visa (SIV), refugees, and people with humanitarian parole.
Welcome.US Launches Effort to Meet Urgent Needs of Afghan Refugees and Nation’s First In-Kind Giving Platform
In December 2021, Welcome.US announced a first-of-its kind tool called the Welcome Exchange— an online portal for matching businesses that are willing and able to give support and resources with the specific local needs of Afghan newcomers identified by nonprofits and resettlement groups.$3 million in supplies and resources have been committed by organizations including Accenture, CVS, Harry’s, Target, Starbucks, Serta Simmons Bedding, Walgreens, and P&G.
Visit the Wecome.US website to learn how businesses and community leaders are getting involved.
Connecting with Afghan Youth through Art
It is often our individual talents and passions that lead us to story projects. That was the case when a local organization Nova RAFT (Resettle Afghan Families Together) told us about a group of Afghan youth who were using art to express their experiences from evacuation to resettlement. That germinated an idea of hosting an Art Workshop with TSOS DC-Community Liaison, Annie Gedicks, who teaches art at Nova Community College.
Slam the Islamophobia
The Emerald Project is a Utah-based organization that carefully designs dialogues to engage with non-Muslims to make Salt Lake Valley a more welcoming home to Muslims. As many of our refugee friends belong to the Muslim faith, we applaud opportunities that foster understanding and were pleased to support The Emerald Project’s 3rd annual “Slam the Islamophobia” event on February 15th.
Invisible Barriers and Battles: The Mental Health Impact on Refugees
Refugees often risk their lives crossing deserts, jungles, and oceans all in the search for shelter, freedom, or happiness. Yet, even once they’ve reached physical safety, mental mountains emerge that make daily life an uphill climb. At the November 2022 conference for the Utah Chapter of the Society for Public Health Education (USOPHE), presenters Shurooq Al Jewari and Sasha Sloan discussed mental health and inclusion, focusing on immigrants and refugees.