Support Afghan Evacuees & Refugees

Many of you have reached out to ask what can be done to support Afghan evacuees and refugees. (THANK YOU!) We’ll update this resource in the days to come.

While the organization below is based in Colorado, USA, items marked “*ANYWHERE” can be done from anywhere in the world.

Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains (LFSRM) works together with Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS), and other organizations, community groups, businesses, and individuals to provide the services and supplies necessary for refugees to become self-sufficient and integrate into their new communities.

Recently, LFSRM has received a large number of inquiries and offers of help concerning Afghan refugees who will be resettled in Colorado. Unable to respond to each request, they’ve compiled a list of answers to questions, as well as some general information and resources, that we want to share with you.

When will refugees and Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) from the emergency evacuations be arriving in Colorado? How many people will be coming here?

We don’t know—US-based resettlement agencies such as ourselves are not involved in the evacuation itself, and there are a lot of uncertainties about timing and logistics right now, as you have surely seen in the news. What we do know is that LFSRM and all the other resettlement agencies are preparing for when they do arrive. And Afghan refugees and SIVs have been part of our caseload for years, so we are using that experience to prepare to serve those who are evacuated due to current events as well.

Ways you can help…

Financial support:

*DONATE | Afghan Evacuee Assistance. Two ways to DONATE to our current Seeds of Exchange fundraising focus:

Set up an automated/monthly donation which will be initially applied to this fundraiser AND make your impact effortless and significant throughout the year, or
Make a one-time donation

Also, stay tuned for information on shipping clothing and shoes to Afghan evacuees in Qatar.

*ANYWHERE To purchase new household items: we have an Amazon wish list. Bedding sets and pot/pan sets are a priority need; items ship directly to LFSRM.

If you have small basic household goods (bedding, towels, kitchen items), you can drop them off at our warehouse at 520 Raritan Way, Denver, 80204 on Fridays from 9:00-3:00 (until further notice). We are working to set up additional drop-offs for the coming weeks.

Advocacy:

*ANYWHERE Write your elected officials to express your support for Afghan refugees and SIVs.

*ANYWHERE Advocacy toolkit.

Volunteer (local/Denver):

We are in need of volunteer co-sponsors and Cultural Mentors. Each volunteer team of 4-6 volunteers is matched with a new family. Mentors make a commitment of 6 months/ approximately 4 hours per month. We are also asking co-sponsors of Afghans with refugee applications pending to raise $5,000-$10,000 to cover rent, as these families will only be eligible for very limited assistance and will need help with rent costs.