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When Bahara and Sayed arrived in Syracuse, they were starting over for the second time.

After fleeing Afghanistan in 2021, they spent more than two years rebuilding their lives in the United Kingdom before moving to Central New York to be closer to family. Both brought advanced degrees, professional experience, and determination.

Bahara had studied business administration and public policy and had worked in finance, as well as on projects focused on expanding educational opportunities for women and girls in Afghanistan. Sayed, a civil engineer with a background in construction and logistics, held a master's degree in energy engineering and environmental management. But beginning again meant navigating unfamiliar systems and rebuilding their careers.

The decision to move meant leaving behind much of what they had worked to rebuild in the UK. While they were excited about the opportunities ahead, they faced new challenges, from securing housing and navigating healthcare to obtaining the documentation they needed to work.

Through InterFaith Works' Center for New Americans, they found more than assistance. They found a community ready to welcome them. From the moment they arrived, InterFaith Works staff greeted them at the airport and welcomed them into a furnished apartment stocked with familiar foods, including halal meat. After leaving so much behind, this thoughtful welcome gave them something they deeply needed: a sense of belonging.

“Honestly, straight away, I felt like I'm at my home,” Sayed recalled.

That warm welcome was just the beginning. InterFaith Works helped the couple navigate essential paperwork, obtain work authorization, manage housing expenses, and prepare for employment. Staff helped with rent and utility costs during their first months, giving them room to focus on building their future. They also received guidance with Social Security and health insurance, making it possible to access healthcare and begin working. It is through the generosity of our community and supporters that InterFaith Works can provide this kind of personalized assistance, helping New Americans overcome barriers and build lives of dignity and independence.

When their advanced degrees were not automatically recognized in the United States, Employment staff at the Center for New Americans supported them through the credential equivalency process, résumé preparation, interviews, and job searches. Employment advisors helped connect them with opportunities and employers, while referrals to community partners and job fairs gave them a chance to share their experience and demonstrate their skills.

Their determination, combined with that support, opened new doors. Today, Bahara and Sayed are not just rebuilding their careers. They are contributing their talents and expertise to the community they now call home. Bahara secured a position as a business operations specialist with the City of Syracuse, with guidance from her job coaches as she prepared for interviews and pursued the opportunity. Sayed began working as a construction inspector with the New York State Thruway Authority after connecting with employers through a job fair. He later advanced into a full-time project engineer role, overseeing bridge and highway projects and working alongside contractors on major construction efforts.

For Sayed, the encouragement he received along the way was just as important as the practical assistance. He remembered a conversation with a staff member who recognized his strengths and told him he had the skills and personality to find a good opportunity. At a time when he was still finding his footing, having someone believe in his abilities helped restore his confidence.

But their journey was about more than finding jobs. It was about rebuilding confidence, restoring hope, and feeling valued in a new community. It was about having people listen to their stories, recognize the experience they brought with them, and help them see a path forward.

Their journey is a powerful reminder that newcomers bring tremendous skills, experience, and determination. Sometimes, all they need is someone to open a door and believe in their potential.

As Bahara beautifully reflected, “You need a support system that opened the door for you so you can shine.”

That is what InterFaith Works strives to provide every day: a welcoming community, meaningful connections, and the support people need to build their future.

Because when one family finds a place to belong, our whole community grows stronger.