Welcoming & Supporting Afghan Refugees in Delaware

Jewish Family Services of Delaware (JFS), the only refugee resettlement agency in the state of Delaware, is in close and consistent contact with state officials and national partners at HIAS regarding our state’s response to the crisis in Afghanistan. While no Afghan cases have been assigned to JFS Delaware’s Refugee Integration Support Effort (RISE) yet, the agency is scaling up significantly as we prepare to accept SIV (Special Immigrant Visa) and other refugee cases should they be called on to do so. Support from individuals, state and county representatives, faith-based organizations, local congregations, community volunteers, and other partners (landlords, employers, etc.) is crucial to ensuring the successful integration of these families seeking refuge in our state. We are all working closely together in anticipation of new arrivals.

For updates about JFS Delaware’s efforts to welcome and support Afghan refugees, visit www.jfsdelaware.org/supporting-afghan-refugees

Ways you can help:

• Make a donation to JFS Delaware HERE
  (there is a field in which you can designate your gift to RISE)
• Volunteer with JFS.
  Learn more HERE or contact JFS’ Volunteer Coordinator at egriff@jfsdelaware.org to get involved.
• Share your contacts with JFS. Partnerships with landlords, employers, and other professionals open to supporting refugees are consistently needed and always appreciated.
  Leads can be sent to the Director of Family Support Services at cgermack@jfsdelaware.org.
• Follow JFS Delaware on social media and help advocate for their refugee resettlement efforts through your personal networks.
  Social media channels are where JFS announces incoming cases, the list of needs to prepare for new arrivals, and advocacy activities.

Our History: Welcoming the Stranger

JFS Delaware, an over 120-year-old organization, has a long history of welcoming and assisting newcomers to America. In the 1980’s JFS was instrumental in resettling hundreds of families in Delaware from the former Soviet Union and, since 1997, have been providing émigré services for refugees who have already arrived in the state. In 2016, the organization relaunched active resettlement efforts through their Refugee Integration Support Effort (RISE). In 2017, JFS welcomed an SIV from Afghanistan and his family – view their story HERE. Learn more about RISE at www.jfsdelaware.org/refugees

Local Press:

• Delaware Group Prepares to Help More Afghan Refugees (WHYY)
• Community Groups Prepare for Incoming Afghan Refugees (Delaware Public Media)
• Delaware Expected to Welcome Ten Families Evacuated from Afghanistan (Delaware Public Media)

Read more from HIAS:
(JFS Delaware is an affiliate of HIAS, on of the nine national resettlement agencies.)

• Crisis in Afghanistan: How you can help
• HIAS Set to Assist Afghan Evacuees
• Afghans Need to Be Classified as Refugees
• Visit HIAS’ Blog for more updates and information,