Many Afghan newcomer families in need -- see how you can help

 Many Afghan families were resettled in the East Bay in 2021-22 and continue to arrive. 

When the United States military withdrew its troops beginning in May 2021, the Afghan government and Taliban conflicts worsened. With Afghanistan now under Taliban control, Afghan translators, journalists and officials who worked with the U.S. are still at high risk of targeted assassination. Afghan women's rights and freedom of expression are growing concerns for advocates. Approximately 75,000 individuals were evacuated. Please see this New York Times article from Jan 7, 2022 interviewing our Afghan board member.

In this emergency situation, resettlement agencies rely heavily on community partners like BRFN. BRFN is hiring more Afghan case managers to support the growing list of referred individuals who are either waiting to receive services from resettlement agencies (RAs) or are ineligible. BRFN provides initial case management, such as applying for public benefits and screening for urgent medical needs. Families also need safe homes (temporary and permanent), groceries, transportation, health and wellness support, and more. 

BRFN has worked in Alameda County, supporting newcomers for over ten years. We are committed to supporting families with enrollment in public services and working in coordination with many other partners in the region. With additional funding, BRFN can increase our capacity and emergency relief fund for newly arriving Afghans.  Please join us.
We are Burma Refugee Families & Newcomers (BRFN)! 
A a 501(c)(3) community-based nonprofit organization established to support and empower
newcomers of all ethnic groups and backgrounds in the SF East Bay.
Founded in 2010 by newcomers from Burma, BRFN has burgeoned to a community organization that serves all newcomers who are in need. In the last few years, the communities we mostly serve are those from: Afghanistan and Eritrea.  BRFN staff provide culturally and linguistically appropriate social support services, such as language training, social welfare, education, physical and mental healthcare, employment, housing resource referral, and cultural bridging and preservation. BRFN works in collaboration and partnership with many local community organizations with the goal to help newcomers achieve self-sufficiency and civic engagement in the community.