With growing numbers of new refugees joining many established families in our Refugee Ministry, we highlight an impressive organization providing critical social services to Afghan refugees in Alexandria. We also hear from an established refugee in our Ministry who started a successful business with a goal, hard work, and perseverance. He has advice and inspiration for new families and all of us. Also this month, we have exciting opportunities to gather together as a community this fall. We hope you will join us!
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Women for Afghan Women Provides Vital Social Services to Afghans in Alexandria |
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Women for Afghan Women (WAW) is a grassroots civil society organization dedicated to protecting and promoting the rights of disenfranchised Afghan women and girls in Afghanistan and the United States. WAW opened its Virginia Community Center in Alexandria in 2022, to provide life-changing services to the large Afghan community in the region – the largest in the United States. WAW provides comprehensive, culturally sensitive, and linguistically appropriate support to help Afghans and other immigrants rebuild their lives.
WAW is instrumental in helping the Afghan community in Alexandria, including many of the families the Christ Church Refugee Ministry works with, and we would like to highlight the services they offer and the incredible work they are doing. The Alexandria office offers case management, immigration legal services, mental health counseling, education, and employment services. Ms. Setara Gardezi, a case worker at WAW, explains that a big focus of the organization is working with and helping women who have experienced domestic violence.
Caseworkers help families find resources, apply for benefits, accompany them to appointments, help with translation, and provide support with basic needs.
The mental health counselor works with individuals and couples, helping those who have experienced domestic violence, traumas, depression, and survivor’s guilt. WAW holds monthly women's circles, where women gather to discuss a specific topic along with the mental health counselor. The last topic was about coping with stressful situations, said Ms. Gardezi.
WAW offers immigration legal services, representing individuals in court on asylum and naturalization issues, and holding workshops on getting a work permit, green card, or how to get asylum. All services are free of charge.
The education coordinator at WAW supervises English as a Second Language courses for women two days a week. They also help refugees applying to Northern Virginia Community College or with scholarship applications.
WAW’s employment coordinator helps with job placement by identifying partners in the community who are willing to hire refugees, helping individuals identify jobs that suit their needs, and helping with the interview process.
Ms. Gardezi explains that the focus of the WAW Virginia Community Center is on those Afghan refugees who came to the area after the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan. However, WAW helps Afghan refugees who were already established in the area and immigrants from other communities. The organization is fully committed to helping Afghan refugees in Alexandria by providing all of these culturally sensitive social services in Dari and Pashto.
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Mustafa Khaliqy and Family with CCRM Volunteer Susanne O’Neill at the U.S. Citizenship Ceremony |
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Successful Business Owner Mustafa Khaliqy with Advice and Inspiration for New Families |
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Mustafa Khaliqy came to the United States in 2017, looking at America as a land of opportunity where people have safety, security, and the ability to pursue their dreams. He was in what he calls a “very bad situation” when he arrived, having nothing. But he had a goal — and his confidence, hard work, and determination led him to eventually start his own successful construction business.
Mr. Khaliqy worked as a civil engineer in Afghanistan. He put himself through school by working during the day and attending classes at night, graduating with a civil engineering degree in 2015. He also studied architecture and did digital Computer-Aided Design (CAD) drafting for USAID. He attempted to start a small company of his own in his home country, failing several times. After trying a different strategy, he was successful with a small company that grew very fast.
He had that same determination when he arrived in the United States. “My goal here was to start a business. America is a land of opportunity. Here it is safe, and when you have security and people are working you can also do it,” Mr. Khaliqy said. He worked at Old Navy and drove for Uber and Lyft while figuring out how to start a business and do the kind of work he loved.
Mr. Khaliqy found Melanie Gray and the Christ Church Refugee Ministry by searching Google for supporting agencies for refugees in Alexandria. The ministry was able to help with rent in those early days and provide support to Mr. Khaliqy and his wife. “I’m so thankful for this help,” he said.
While Mr. Khaliqy was working various jobs to support himself and his family, he never lost sight of his goal to start a business in an area he was passionate about. Having worked in architecture, he wanted to pursue a business in building. He found helpful information on the internet about starting a business, from printing business cards to creating a website and developing a marketing strategy. He had some help from a friend developing a website and learned to advertise for workers on Craigs List. Mr. Khaliqy’s business was up and running, and he got his building license in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia.
His advice to other refugees, particularly those who have recently arrived in the United States: have a goal, have patience, be confident, and follow up. “What helped me and what I suggest is if someone wants to change their life, they have to do it themself. If you don’t try yourself, another person can not change your life. There are a lot of opportunities for new refugees, they have to look for something they like. It may take many tries to see which one fits. Plan. You can’t start from the last step. You have to go step by step. Write it down. You have to sacrifice, you have to work hard to achieve your goals. If you have a goal you can achieve it.”
Mr. and Mrs. Khaliqy both became U.S. citizens in August 2022. They now have three young children, ranging in age from newborn to 6 years. Ministry volunteer Susanne O’Neill has supported the family as a care team member for many years. Here is a link to Mustafa Khaliqy’s business, DC Home Remodeling.
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Saturday Learn and Play at St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School Begins in November
We will continue our partnership with St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School this year, bringing mentorship, play, and friendship to many of the children in the Refugee Ministry. Learn and Play Saturdays will take place one Saturday a month at the Lower School Campus of St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School, beginning in November.
Refugee children have the opportunity to read in the school library with high school mentors, enjoy pizza lunch, and play on the incredible playground at the campus. This year, St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes Upper School students will also be leading the children in various organized sports and activities. There is a great need in the community for the children to participate in organized activities, and the school offers beautiful outdoor and indoor spaces and dedicated students who are eager to engage with the children. Families will have the opportunity to visit and build relationships with others in the community while their children play.
These special events are an incredible opportunity for our community, and we are so grateful to David Yee, Director of Service Learning and Community Engagement at St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School, and his wonderful student volunteers.
Refugee families with school-aged children will be invited to participate in these events. Invitations and reminders go out through WhatsApp. If you are a member of a care team, please encourage the family you work with to attend, and consider helping with transportation if needed. We welcome volunteers! If you have questions or need further information, please contact Amy Bacon or Barbara Fallon. |
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Refugee Community Dinner
There has been an enthusiastic response to the Saturday, October 28 Refugee Community Dinner, with 175 guests expected. Taking place on the beautiful grounds of the Virginia Theological Seminary, the dinner will have a fall harvest theme and will be decorated with mums as well as mini-pumpkins & and gourds gifted by Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill’s famous pumpkin patch. Look for photos in the November issue of this newsletter.
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Thank You to Our Partners
The Christ Church Refugee Ministry flourishes because of our relationships with our partners. The time, talent, and treasures brought to this ministry by the volunteers and community members are extraordinary and impact so many people!
Church of the Holy Comforter
Emmanuel Episcopal Church
Fairlington United Methodist Church
Goodwin Living
Grace Episcopal Church
Hope United Church of Christ
Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill
Rock Spring Congregational United Church of Christ
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School
The Falls Church
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