Kansas City expects to welcome hundreds more Afghan evacuees. Here’s how you can help
As Kansas City prepares to welcome at least 550 Afghan evacuees to the metro area in the coming months, many refugee resettlement organizations are in need of a helping hand.
From preparing an apartment for a new arrival to welcoming a family at the airport, or even mentoring a young person, Kansas Citians have an array of opportunities to help them settle into a new life in the U.S. The three biggest organizations tasked with assisting refugees and evacuees are Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, Della Lamb and Jewish Vocational Services.
Here are some ways you can help our new neighbors.
Donate
Often, refugees and evacuees arrive in the United States with nothing. Resettlement agencies are looking for new or gently used items to help stock a new home. This includes furniture, kitchen utensils, cleaning supplies, linens, toiletries, professional clothing for job interviews, school supplies and toys.
Catholic Charities also suggests donating bicycles and helmets, materials to help learn English and gift cards to help get them started, including to grocery stores. A complete list of items needed by Jewish Vocational Services can be found online, along with an Amazon wish list for new families.
Monetary donations can also be made to each agency. For Jewish Vocational Services, this includes donations that fund bus passes, utility assistance or monthly rent for a new family.
Volunteer
Many volunteers help prepare refugees and evacuees for their new homes by furnishing and decorating the space they will soon call home. This includes filling the pantry with groceries, moving furniture and stocking cabinets. Catholic Charities and Della Lamb are all looking for volunteers in this area.
Jewish Vocational Services is also looking for volunteers to help prepare plots of land for refugees to grow their own food at numerous gardens across Northeast Kansas City.
Without a reliable method of transportation, evacuees risk missing medical appointments and school meetings, for example. JVS is also looking for people to help provide transportation to evacuees, since many don’t yet have a driver’s license or car.
Partner
Many resettlement agencies, including Della Lamb, have co-sponsorship programs. A group of community members — through a neighborhood, church or business, for example — have the opportunity to help an individual or family get settled in their new home and get to know Kansas City. Refugees are paired with groups who help by giving their time, money and resources to walk with a new family or individual through their first six months in Kansas City.
Are you passionate about helping shape young people’s educations and careers? ReCONNECT Kansas gives community members the opportunity to be a mentor to refugee youths. Mentors have to be at least 25 years old. Jewish Vocational Services also offers opportunities to volunteer with youths or serve as a tutor.
For evacuees and refugees, finding work is crucial. Do you have a business? Are you looking to grow your team? JVS could help refer one of the new arrivals to your workplace.
Find more opportunities to partner with Catholic Charities at https://catholiccharitiesks.org/covid-volunteering, to partner with Della Lamb at https://www.dellalamb.org/volunteer and to partner with Jewish Vocational Services at https://jvskc.org/get-involved/volunteer.
This story was originally published November 17, 2021 at 5:00 AM.