GREEN CARDS FOR AFGHAN EVACUEES

Approvals are arriving for Afghan evacuees resettled by JFCS East Bay

The first Green Card approvals are coming in for Afghan evacuees resettled by JFCS East Bay - these clients are now on the path to permanent citizenship in the U.S.

JFCS East Bay filed these applications on behalf of Afghans who worked with or alongside U.S. forces in Afghanistan. Our Legal Services team has worked hard to guide clients through this complicated process, which has required many pivots and program expansions in a fast-evolving crisis situation.

We are glad to be able to accommodate the needs of our new Afghan neighbors as they build lives in the East Bay.

#RefugeesWelcome

SERVING OVER 100 UKRAINIANS

JFCS East Bay is now providing services directly to Ukrainian clients

JFCS East Bay is glad to be serving Ukrainians through the ongoing Russian invasion crisis. As of this week, over 100 newly arrived Ukrainians have connected with us to receive:

Gift cards to cover the cost of shopping for food and clothing

ESL (English as a Second Language) classes to help newcomers acclimate to life in the East Bay

Weekly grocery shopping

Toiletries kits

Assistance applying for public benefits

Legal assistance

Want to help?

We are expanding our services to provide additional support to Ukrainian new arrivals and prepare for welcoming an increased number of Ukrainians to the East Bay.

Donate to JFCS East Bay.

Pitch in by purchasing a gift card or ordering items from our Wish List. These items are placed directly into the hands of those who need them.

Want a more hands-on experience? Fill out our volunteer interest form.

Find out more about Welcome Circles through our partner HIAS.

EMAIL volunteers@jfcs-eastbay.org for more information.

PHOTO HIGHLIGHT:

MOVE-IN DAY

We are resettling several families every week. The vast majority come from Afghanistan.

Congrats to a family of five who just moved into their permanent East Bay housing! It's exciting to get keys to a new apartment with all the furniture and household items.

Now that our resettlement team has helped the family get comfortable, our case managers will provide support in enrolling for benefit programs such as MediCal and CalFresh, and our volunteer services team will help navigate school enrollment for the kids, while providing any additional in-kind donations they may need.

Thanks to all our volunteers and donors who help make this possible.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR WORK:

A NEW SEMESTER OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

JFCS East Bay begins its third year of assisting Jewish students at UC Berkeley

JFCS East Bay partners with UC Berkeley Hillel and the Jewish Community Federation to provide free mental health services for students.

Students face challenges like anti-Semitism, anxiety, domestic violence, and depression.

“We are able to remind students that they are not alone. They have support. We’re helping young people determine the type of adults they want to be.”

- Hagar Ben-Eliezer, Jewish Chaplain BCC & Wellness Therapist

DISPELLING LEGAL MYTHS

JFCS East Bay partners with Noor Islamic and Cultural Community Center to host information session for Afghans

Misinformation about immigration status and legal options is the cause of much anxiety among new Afghan arrivals.

In response, JFCS East Bay partnered with the Noor Islamic and Cultural Community Center to offer a legal information session for Afghan parolees in the U.S. The mosque extended our reach in the Afghan community significantly, attracting about 150 attendees.

"We wanted to dispel rumors and to provide resources and referrals,” explains Kyra Lilien, Director of Immigration Legal Services.