The Situation: 
Fredericksburg is a resettlement location for Afghan families with Special Immigrant Visas (meaning they translated, fought, or worked alongside US forces).
 
The Need: 
Most men speak English; most women do not. Men need help getting a job; learning to pay bills and completing paperwork; and caring for their families in the U.S. Women need to learn English. All need to learn how to shop in the U.S. and to gain their learner’s permits and driver’s licenses.
 
The Plan: 
Churches across the Fredericksburg area are organizing teams called “Welcome Families.” Individuals comprising a Welcome Family do not need to be all from the same family. Each Welcome Family will ideally contain at least one adult male and one adult female, but may be a single person or a single family.
 
The Ask: 
We are asking Welcome Families to commit to one year of friendship. Specifically, we ask that one or more person from the Welcome Family see their new Afghan family at least once per week for six months and then once per month for six months. The schedule is entirely up to you to establish. Most visits can be at the home of the new Afghan family, or you may drive them to an appointment, grocery store, job interview, etc.
 
To Sign Up: 
Contact Mark DeCourcey (mark@staffordcrossing.org) to be part of a Welcome Family, or if you have questions/need more information.

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me….” Matthew 25:35