By Amy Dana
In August of 2021, the world watched in despair as the Taliban reestablished its brutal control over Afghanistan, US service members and Afghan civilians lost their lives to a terror attack and desperate people begged for passage to anywhere else on earth. One hundred and twenty-four thousand people were evacuated from Afghanistan in those chaotic weeks, the largest humanitarian effort of its kind in decades. Seventy-three thousand of those evacuees landed on eight military installations across the U.S. There they received medical assessments, vaccinations and immigration screening before being released into the care of communities in 49 states.
In December and January, four extended Afghan families–34 evacuees in all–arrived in Fairfield County, sponsored by the volunteers of Rising Hope and Tree of Life under the auspices of Jewish Family Services of Greenwich.
“JFS was designated a temporary resettlement agency in response to the overwhelming numbers of evacuees who arrived seemingly overnight, with very urgent needs,” explained Rachel Kornfeld, CEO of JFS. “We needed to provide housing, food, ESL, employment, school enrollment for the children—everything, really.”
Kornfeld knew that she and her small, expert staff could not fulfill this mission on their own. She put the word out to every faith leader and social services agency in Greenwich and Stamford and set up a virtual town hall meeting just before Thanksgiving.
“There were 42 people on that first call, representing agencies like Family Centers, Chabad of Greenwich and Neighbor to Neighbor.” Those agencies would become vital partners. And from the individuals on that call emerged the people who would form Rising Hope and Tree of Life.
“Without Rising Hope and Tree of Life to sponsor these families,” Kornfeld said, “there’s no way JFS could have provided all the care they needed—and still need.”
Forty Greenwich residents comprise the ranks of Rising Hope and Tree of Life. They come from all backgrounds and areas of expertise. Claudia Schipper, a German ex-patriot, is a former marketing executive with a passion for teaching ESL. Wayne Atwell and Bruce Winningham, both members of First Presbyterian Church, have past experience in refugee sponsorship. Roseanne Berman’s longstanding commitment to immigrants and refugees led her to help found Tree of Life. Ed Horstman is the tireless Senior Minister at Round Hill Community Church and the glue of Rising Hope. Julia Allan and Bharti Chojar are master organizers and members of the dynamic Greenwich International Ladies Group. Jahid Mirzah, an Afghan political refugee, acts as an invaluable translator and cultural liaison. Heather Krauseneck, the mother of two school-age children, has a background in communications. She now coordinates all volunteer activities. Together with their Rising Hope and Tree of Life colleagues, these Greenwich residents have met calamity and urgent need with resolve, compassion and creativity.
In less than three months, JFS, Rising Hope and Tree of Life have secured apartments, health insurance and work permits for the newcomers. The work-eligible adults have jobs. The school-age children are enrolled in and attending school. All adults attend ESL and are learning English at a pace that astounds the American volunteers.
“The Sprint may be over, but the marathon has just begun,” Kornfeld said. “Settling these families into secure, independent lives will be a long-term project.”
In the coming weeks, we will tell you more about Mutjaba, Mustafa, Habib* and the other young men who led their families to safety in our area. Theirs is a story of resilience and courage. And new beginnings.
*Family names have been withheld at their request.
To Donate
These organizations are collecting funds exclusively for Afghan Placement Assistance:
JFS of Greenwich
https://www.jfsgreenwich.org/
Round Hill Community Church
https://www.roundhillcommunitychurch.org/afghan-family-resettlement
To volunteer
Contact: Heather Krauseneck
Volunteer Coordinator
203-622-1881
