“No one likes to leave their home country,” shares Asad. “In addition to the cultural differences, it often comes with a lot of trauma. We help newly arrived immigrants and refugees to connect with the resources they need.”
Asad is referring to MSC’s new Immigrant and Refugee Community Education and Outreach program. Asad supervises this program that provides culturally and linguistically appropriate support to connect recent immigrants and refugees to community services and resources, giving them the tools to be successful in navigating their new environment and community.
“Adapting and assimilating into an entirely new culture can be difficult,” says Asad. “The language barrier is often the first thing that comes to mind, but many new immigrants and refugees also don’t yet understand the steps or information they need to take to receive assistance or do everyday tasks like banking. Add to that the fact that many immigrants have left their home countries due to oppression, violence, and other reasons that made them feel unsafe, there are many barriers for them to overcome. We help them navigate and remove those barriers.”
Immigrants and refugees learn about this program primarily through outreach events and word of mouth. Outreach includes community resource fairs, but also going to places that immigrants and refugees may congregate, such as libraries, community centers, or markets. Community Outreach Specialists in the program currently speak three languages other than English; Spanish, Dari/Farsi, and Pashto, and use interpreters for other languages.
Asad is uniquely familiar with what new immigrants and refugees are experiencing in their new home. “When I came here as an immigrant from Afghanistan in 2015, I didn’t know much and needed help,” he shares. “There were people that helped me find resources and feel welcomed. That inspires me to give back.”
Public service isn’t new to Asad. In Afghanistan he worked for an organization that provided aid to individuals and families and he was involved in community mobilizing.
“When you can help others and see the relief they feel, it gives me relief as well,” shares Asad. “Helping people is basically my passion.”
MSC’s Immigrant and Refugee Community Education and Outreach program offers resource navigation, referrals, cultural orientation, and educational resources for immigrants and refugees that have arrived in the United States on or after July 1, 2021.
You can find out more about program eligibility and connect for services on our website at mschelps.org/ir.
