Refugee Support Opportunities

Volunteer and Learn

Hebrew Immigration Aid Society (HIAS)
HIAS provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.  The website provides general information as well as opportunities to volunteer.

    • In Kind Donations
    • The organization is actively seeking pro bono attorneys to help asylum seekers.  Training is provided and previous immigration law experience is not required.
    • They are also lobbying Congress to pass the Afghan Adjustment Act that would allow evacuees from Afghanistan to apply for permanent legal status in the United States. Sign a petition here.

Solutions in Hometown Connections
SHC supports refugees and immigrants through programs such as English language learning classes and tutoring, as well as citizenship preparation classes. Welcome teams support new families and provide support for school enrollment (primarily in PG county).

Lutheran Social Services (LSS)
LSS is one of nine US refugee resettlement partner agencies. Their website includes general information about refugee and immigrant services, including helpful definitions.  You can also learn about these volunteer opportunities:

Kind Works
This organization supports a variety of service projects.  Here are two specifically related to Afghan family re-settlement:

Foodhini
Provide Afghan-style and halal-friendly welcome meals, to ensure that Afghan families have a welcoming and familiar meal for their arrival in their new home. You can purchase a single meal ($10 pp) or multiple meals for an entire family.

Just Neighbors (Northern VA)
Just Neighbors holds two legal clinics each month, during which volunteers assist clients in filling out documents and preparing their immigration applications. One clinic is held at their Falls Church office on one Tuesday evening every month from 6:00–8:30 pm. The other clinic is held at the Herndon office (or, occasionally, in Woodbridge) on one Saturday morning every month from 9:00–11:30 am. Training for new volunteers is held one half hour before the clinic starts. Volunteers can sign up to help at a clinic approximately two weeks ahead of time. This is a great option for people who would like to give their time and talents to the immigrant community, but who can only volunteer on an occasional basis.

Learn More

Read a book: Check out this list for your own reading or to share with a book club.

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)