Austin Jews for Refugees and Partners are excited to announce our new “Salaam Neighbors” program, utilizing volunteer welcome teams to assist Afghan refugee families in resettlement in their new Austin homes.Afghan Refugees resettling in Austin require a commitment of time and caring for at least 3 months after arrival to help them adjust to their new home. As one refugee recently told a volunteer: “Thank you for not leaving me alone in a country that is not mine.”
The Salaam Neighbors program pairs a group of volunteers with a refugee family, in partnership with Refugee Services of Texas (RST). Volunteers will assist one or more Afghan families with specific tasks that will help them adjust and thrive in Austin, including:bus orientations
clothes shopping
medical visits
bus orientation
school support
assistance with cell phones/ technology needs
apartment orientation
take to library
Austin tours
ESL/conversation classes
cultural research
Texas State ID
Salaam Neighbors groups may also take the families to parks, museums and other places of interest, experiencing the favorite spots that Austinites love! Salaam Neighbors groups will consist of a group of 2-10 individuals or 1-3 families who will commit to work together in a volunteer capacity to help the refugee family over the 3 month period. Salaam Neighbors Planning Committee: Nancy Wolf, Bettie Forman, Sandy Bootz, Chichi Armstrong, Julie van de Zande, Cathy Campbell, and Sana Yusuf
Below is the link for the December 21 information session. Just type your name and email to be able to access it: