Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, FlickrCC
Afghan evacuees disembark a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III at Naval Air Station Sigonella, Aug. 22, 2021.
The Refugee Response, a Cleveland nonprofit that helps resettled families in the area, today announced that it's completed 220 humanitarian parole applications for Afghan refugees and has enough money to complete 30 more.
Each application costs $575, and the group continues to collect donations to help even more Afghans fleeing the crisis in their homeland.
It's just one of the organizations leading the effort to resettle them in Cleveland after the city was designated one of 19 possible landing spots as part of the special immigrant visa program.
Global Cleveland has a helpful list of places to which you can direct your money or time to support the effort.
“These are organizations that measure their service in decades; they measure it in centuries,” Global Cleveland executive director Joe Cimperman told WEWS. “We’ve seen this before. Every one of those communities that I mentioned [have brought] engineers, doctors, restaurants, homeowners, homebuilders. They make our community better by being here. I can tell you from all the communities that have come before, they inevitably make our general community better as a result of them being here.”
The three primary resettlement organizations include:
Catholic Charities Migration and Refugee Services Phone: (216) 939-3737
USCRI – Cleveland Phone: (216) 781-4560 Email: [email protected]
US Together Phone: (216) 456-9630
Specific needs for them include:
Volunteers
All three organizations need volunteers who can transport individuals and families to housing, from the airport, to do essential shopping at the store, or other necessary appointments. If you wish to volunteer services reach out to the above orgs.
Individuals and families coming will need legal help both before and after they arrive. If you are an immigration attorney, or any kind of attorney, please offer your services to the above organizations.
Housing
All three organizations need connections to provide housing. If you are a landlord or even own an Airbnb please reach out to the above orgs. If you know a landlord who may want to help, please share this information with them.
Jobs
Refugees need employment to successfully integrate. If you are a company or a business who is willing to hire refugees, please contact the above organizations.
Donations
All these organizations need donations of items like school supplies, winter clothing, and household items. Please call or contact each org to see what they need most.
