Volume 1, Issue 11
November 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! We hope to continue these efforts as we strive to develop and implement more programs with our partners for the evolving resettlement needs of Afghan families. 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.
Empowering the Community

Daycare initiative

In partnership with NoVA RAFT, we held a workshop titled “How to Start a Home Daycare Business” for over 40 participants. The session was led by Maryam Sharif, a home daycare provider with over 35 years of experience. Attendees learned about the local permit process, state license process, and best practices to run a home daycare business. Attendees were also introduced to other employment opportunities in the field. Follow-up activities will focus on getting interested individuals CRP/First Aid certified and assist in obtaining business permits.
Trade Union Tour

On October 25, a delegation of nearly 40 Afghan refugee clients of FSRAC, LSSCNA, and NoVA RAFT visited five construction trade union headquarters in Maryland to learn about opportunities available through these unions and in particular their apprenticeship programs that can result in careers. Trade union apprenticeship programs present one of the greatest opportunities for financial stability and quality of life for newly arrived Afghans. Thanks to these union leaders for their in-depth information and courtesy, and to Virginia Delegate Dan Helmer for connecting us to the unions.
ROAD TO INDEPENDENCE (RTI)

Since December 2021, RTI has provided driver education and driver's license assistance to over 100 newly arrived Afghan refugees. This support will enable refugee families to gain independence and become self-sufficient. Please consider donating to help us reach our goal of serving 200 refugees. All donations are tax deductible through the nonprofit Love Nova, a 501(c)(3) organization. RTI is a partner of Fresh Start Refugee Assistance Center - FSRAC, Love NOVA, and NoVA RAFT (Resettling Afghan Families Together)
Graduation!
PROJECT REBUILD with OPERATION CODE
Operation Code’s first cohort from Project Rebuild graduated this past month. Eight students graduated with at least one IT training certificate; a few students graduated with multiple certificates. This past week, the fall cohort started their six month training and mentorship from leaders in the IT field. Thank you to our partners at Operation Code for helping our Afghan allies obtain valuable training.

“I would like to express my deep sense of gratitude to Fresh Start Refugee Assistance Center and Operation Code for providing such beneficial programs to those who truly need it. They have great teams with members who are friendly, supportive, and reachable. I really appreciate their assistance and all the work they do.” - Farhad Lamay, Spring 2022 Cohort
Halloween in the Community

We celebrated Halloween with our new neighbors! Along with our partners at Messiah United Methodist Church, NoVA RAFT, and City of Alexandria we distributed hundreds of costumes to Afghan refugees and community members. Over 200 children and adults joined in on the celebrations as we shared the culture of pumpkin carving, eating candy, cookie decorating and face painting. Thank you to Messiah United Methodist Church and the 25+ volunteer team who made this event so memorable for Afghan refugees!
Calling all Interns!
Fresh Start Refugee Assistance Center is expanding.
We are looking for interns to join our communications and social media team. Interested candidates can send us a message using the link on our website.
DONATE
Please consider donating to Fresh Start Refugee Assistance Center