November 11, 2021 Submitted By Kathy Swanson
On November 15th at 7PM in the Whiton Room of the Hingham Library, 66 Leavitt St, Hingham, MA 02043, South Shore Action will host a discussion, “Supporting Afghan Evacuees on the South Shore”. This is an opportunity for local residents to learn about the plight of Afghans who have recently been evacuated to US military camps. While they await processing for resettlement throughout the US, we can offer support here on the South Shore for those families that will be resettling in the greater Boston area.
South Shore Action formed in November of 2016 out of concern for the future of our country and the well being of the people in it. The participants have been turning their concerns into actions with members forming sub-committees around particular interests. The Immigration Committee has been advocating for just laws and supporting organizations that welcome and care for our country’s newest residents.
The presenters for this event will be representatives of Boston based RIAC (Refugee and Immigrant Assistance Center). Miriam Gas, a Somalian refugee herself, founded the agency in 1993 working to assist her fellow Somalian refugees who had resettled in the Boston area to navigate life in the US. Her story is compelling and her work is inspirational. RIAC is one of many non-profit agencies tasked with resettlement of these Afghan evacuees, and have committed to resettle 600 from Afghanistan alone in the next year throughout the Eastern MA region.
Their need is great- federal assistance programs for these evacuees is limited to an initial three-month period and most of these Afghan families will depend heavily on donations and services provided by the non-profit sector. Our commitment to provide in many ways can help bridge the gap; from filling welcome baskets, to donating furniture and appliances, to offering transportation, to helping with the grocery shopping…..there are so ways we can welcome these new neighbors to their new homes. And that is also part of our task…finding affordable housing arrangement in our area for these families.
Come hear their stories, and then help us support them.
Volunteers from Hingham and the surrounding area are needed to build a supportive and caring community for these families.
I think there is an important message here for south shore residents. Your attendance will send a message to others
I commend South Shore Action on its mission to turn concerns into action. I plan to attend the November 15th meeting to see how I might help these Afghan families in some tiny way.
I’m grateful to live in a community that works hard to change policy at the political level while also doing the day-to-day work of “bridging the gap” to ease resettlement for Afghan refugees
There are many ways to help and no shortage of need for Afghani families arriving for resettlement. Hats off to SSA for facilitating and promoting this important event.
After months of anti-Asian violence as a result of the coronavirus being first reported in China, I would like to express support and welcome Afghan refugees. Helping newly arrived Afghan refugees will be a step towards healing the racism, xenophobia, and hatred that has marked the last several years.
This is such an important initiative that all people can participate in, whether it by thru contributions of household goods, food, or a financial contribution, it all adds up! These folks have already been on a long journey to get here and realizing the opportunity to start life in a new country will be a tall task; let’s try to ease their burden and be “good neighbors”. We are all immigrants at some point. Looking forward to hearing about how my contribution can make a difference.
I am blessed to have been born here, but if I had been born in their shoes, I know that I would have been thankful for any help and support. Thanks to the Hingham Anchor for sharing news of this important discussion. I look forward to learning more about the plight of Afghans.
So proud of our community stepping up to help these refugees. Let’s welcome them with open arms and hearts.
To quote John Lewis, “We all live in the same house.”
Katherine Kallis
These refugees helped our troops in Afghanistan. Here is one way to repay the favor. Show everyone America stands with those who stood with us.