The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia has awarded $60,000 in grants to six local organizations in the second round of grants from its Afghan Relief and Resettlement Fund for Northern Virginia.
The grantees include FACETS, FAMIL – Potomac Rotary Charities, Herndon-Reston FISH Inc., Homes Not Borders Inc., Literacy Council of Northern Virginia, and Western Fairfax Christian Ministries. Each organization is receiving a $10,000 grant. The grants will support Afghans fleeing their country who either pass through or are resettled here in Northern Virginia.
The initial grants from the fund focused on immediate unmet human and basic needs, such as food, shelter, acute health services, acute mental health services. This new round of grants will support longer-term resettlement efforts, including legal, mental health, physical health, housing, transportation, education, language, and other coping skills.
“These are difficult times for Afghan refugees and evacuees. The least we can do is our very best to welcome and embrace them, to convey our deepest concern for their welfare, and to let them know they are not alone,” said Eileen Ellsworth, president and CEO, Community Foundation for Northern Virginia.
"As Homes Not Borders is setting up apartments for newly arrived Afghans at the pace of six a week, so we are always in desperate need of new beds. This grant is a huge help and will allow HNB to restock our bed supply for all those Afghans expected to resettle in January 2022," said Laura Thompson Osuri, Executive Director, Homes Not Borders.
Grant recipient Western Fairfax Christian Ministries provides food and financial support to families at risk of hunger and homelessness in western Fairfax County.
“WFCM has been fortunate to work with several Afghan refugee families that have come to us in need of food and rental assistance. The CF NOVA grant will enable us to pay a full month of rent for five families while they await the processing of documents that will connect them with benefits and work opportunities. We are grateful for this funding and the partnership that will allow us to serve these families,” said Harmonie Taddeo, Executive Director, Western Fairfax Christian Ministries.
To date, the Afghan Relief and Resettlement Fund for Northern Virginia has distributed $126,000 in grants. To learn more visit here https://www.cfnova.org/community-leadership/afghan-relief-and-resettlement-fund-for-northern-virginia
Round 2 Grantees:
Serving Fairfax County
This grant will support the FACETS’ Education and Community Development Centers (ECDs) that are serving Afghan refugees in our community. Staff and leaders will assist in connecting Afghans to resources available through local government agencies, schools, and faith communities. The ECDs will also provide culturally appropriate food, clothing and supplies as well as access to resources such as case management, translation services and computers.
Serving Fairfax County
This grant will support Herndon-Reston FISH’s primary program, the Emergency Assistance Program and provide short-term financial assistance for rent, utilities, medical prescriptions, emergency dental services, and other critical needs. It will also assist with the Helping Students Learn program and pay for items to help elementary school-age children be ready for school.
Serving All of Northern Virginia
This grant will support the Homes Not Borders (HNB) main program which is home set ups which provides Afghan refugees in our community with a furnished and fully stocked place to live with an immediate need for twin beds (which includes mattress, bed frames and mattress protectors.) While all the other furniture can be gently used, mattresses have to be new per the resettlement agency guidelines.
Literacy Council of Northern Virginia
Serving All of Northern Virginia
This grant will help us provide 20 Afghan refugees with English language classes and offer a free virtual drop-in conversation class at Dar Al-Hijrah.
FAMIL – Potomac Rotary Charities
Serving All of Northern Virginia
This grant will assist Famil with the process of engaging with families to identify and address immediate and unmet needs that are vital to resettlement, with a focus on mental health services. Additionally, Famil will provide mentoring and adult educational services focused on integration and familiarity with the American way of life. Famil will also serve as cultural advisors for these families and other service providers.
Western Fairfax Christian Ministries
Serving Fairfax County
This grant will support 11 Afghan refugees individually residing at an Extended Stay in Sterling, with culturally appropriate groceries on a weekly basis, as part of a consortium coordinated with 4 congregation partners and will provide one full month of rent and/or security deposits for approximately five refugee families within our service area in western Fairfax County.