Fresh Start Newsletter

Volume 1, Issue 12

December 9, 2022

Fresh Start Khabar

Khabar, "news" in Farsi, is Fresh Start's monthly newsletter.

Your generosity has given Fresh Start the ability to help families with direct resettlement efforts, employment search, and skill building initiatives. Thank you for the support that has made this possible! Fresh Start is planning for 2023 and we are excited to continue working with families and individuals on their journey to independence and self-sufficiency.

Whether you can help with linguistic needs, create resumes, line up jobs, or provide transportation, Fresh Start needs you! Visit our website and sign up to become a volunteer.

Sharing Thanksgiving

On Nov 20, 2022 Fresh Start and NOVA RAFT collaborated with Makespace and held an interfaith Thanksgiving Day dinner. Representatives and leaders from all faiths joined together to share the Thanksgiving tradition of giving thanks. We shared a meal and expressed appreciation for our growing community. We recognized all the hard working volunteers from many organizations who have dedicated so much to help Afghan refugee resettlement. The kids enjoyed an arts and crafts table that included a balloon artist. Thank you, YoPo’s Cheesesteak for catering the event.

More home furnishings!

NOVA Raft and Fresh Start joined forces to help furnish a home for a family of 7! We collected gently used donations and were able to move all the items with the help of wonderful volunteers. Afterwards, they enjoyed Afghan tea with sweets served by the gracious and appreciative family. Check out the photos the family shared with us.

Beyond Home

Fresh Start’s Project Manager, Pary Shuaib published a children’s book called “When War Happens,” a story book that shares the journey of many refugee children as they uproot their lives and learn to adjust to a new country. Pary shared the inspiration for the book came from her time working with Fresh Start and witnessing the detriments of what war does to children. She felt inclined to help refugee children process the trauma through literature and supporting mental and emotional health. Pary wants to encourage universal solidarity for victims of war and prayers for peace. Her book is available for purchase on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and at Walmart.

Future Resettlement Efforts

This past month, Fresh Start participated in a national meeting lead by ORR (Office of Refugee Resettlement). The meeting was a collaborative discussion with ORR and other nonprofit organizations that have been helping Afghan refugee resettlement efforts to determine what systems were successful and what needs to be improved. The hope is that with the help of ORR and legislation, organizations will continue to support the families who are vulnerable and to offer services to encourage sufficiency and independence.

DONATE

Please consider donating to Fresh Start Refugee Assistance Center

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