Who We Are
In 2018 a group of seasoned ESL teachers volunteered to organize an English class for refugee women in Tukwila, WA. Newly arrived Afghan women, whose families came to the U.S. on Special Immigration Visas, were isolated at home. As the primary caregivers to young children, without transportation, they were unable to access existing community classes. Our teachers established an innovative English class held within walking distance of the women’s apartments, offering free childcare onsite. Classes focused on acquiring skills and building confidence to begin life in a new country. Our teachers developed relationships of trust with their students, and were welcomed into the women’s homes, where it was the teachers’ turn to listen and learn. Word of mouth quickly spread among refugee families that the “teachers” were approachable, caring, and resourceful. Our outreach services developed after seeing firsthand the real needs refugee families face. Many agencies and individuals became acquainted with our group’s extensive community network, and strong connections with the refugee community. In the Fall of 2021 during the massive influx of Afghan refugees to the Puget Sound region, we were invited to become an official partner with the 501(c)(3) Essentials First, a sister organization of the Muslim Community Resource Center.
MISSION STATEMENT
Since 2018 we have helped Afghan families bridge the gap between initial resettlement and self-sufficiency through home visits, mentoring, ESL classes, delivering essential items, and connecting families with community partners. We utilize a vibrant interfaith network of resources to welcome refugee families as they integrate and become self-reliant in their new communities.
COMMUNITY NEED
Ninety days to establish the foundation for a new life is not enough. Often this is the only support refugee resettlement agencies can offer families who have left behind everything they have ever known. The loss of extended family support systems, lack of familiarity with a new culture, language, and government systems, plus difficulty affording necessities are universal challenges refugees face during their first few years in the United States. WholeHeart Refugee Alliance steps in to help bridge this gap until families are self-sufficient.
Program
Philosophy
Providing a path forward through teaching, teamwork, and trust
PROVIDING encompasses “donate, contribute, supply, offer, equip, support, nourish” and includes both what donors can provide to us and in turn what we can provide to the families.
A PATH FORWARD is inclusive, welcoming, and empowering.
THROUGH TEACHING is where the group began back in 2018. There are dozens of examples of how we teach families. We taught English classes for women, met them at library story time, in small conversation groups, and in online ESL classes since COVID. We visit parents in their apartments and model how to read with their children and play with educational toys. We show men and women how to apply for jobs, enroll in training programs, advocate for benefits and utility relief, navigate a lease, and more. We teach them what is within our scope and what they can do themselves. Much more than mentorship, we all experience two-way learning and growth. With open hearts, the families have also taught us many things: the meaning of true hospitality, hard work with no complaints, optimism through adversity.
TEAMWORK denotes the myriad of ways we operate, among ourselves, with other agencies, community groups, and individuals. We partner and pool resources with the Muslim Community Resource Center, SCM Medical Missions, Essentials First, Bear Creek United Methodist Church Afghan Ministry, Tukwila Clothing Bank, LDS Bishops’ Storehouse, Deseret Industries, Asian Community Referral Services, Global Perinatal, OneAmerica, Congregation Kol Ami, Undaunted Women, Umeed for All Refugees, Afghan Health Initiative, Renton Salvation Army, Turkcha, Operation Choose Kindness, Viets for Afghans, pre-apprenticeship programs, cooperative Ramadan deliveries, churches, synagogues, mosques, and others. Many individuals and small groups in our networks support families with donations of money or goods, act as a monthly diaper sponsor, gather welcome baskets of supplies, help procure items, or provide friendship to newcomers.
AND TRUST is the glue that binds us all together in a most important, relational way. We trust each other to do what is within our capabilities and strengths at any given time. Families trust us as they reach out, not only with tangible needs but also with their problems and concerns. This may define how we are different; we are approachable, beyond the confines of a specific job description or agency. Families trust our advice. They are secure that our relationship is on- going. We convey to families that they can become self-sufficient and make wise decisions. Trust builds a foundation for empathy, encouragement, belonging, and ultimately… confidence.
Service Model
Relationships of trust build communities. Our teachers and volunteers utilize a vibrant interfaith network of resources to welcome refugee families as they integrate and become self-reliant. Through home visits and referrals, we first assess families’ essential needs; then, our unique system of grassroots networking allows us to source and deliver crucial items that are unaffordable for families. We provide English classes and collaborate through community partners to assist with problem solving such as employment, neo- natal services, food/housing insecurity, transportation needs, navigating applications, affording technology, apartment set-up, and many other lifelines. We connect struggling families with reliable community and government resources and individually assist them through the process. Our team has served over 700 Afghan individuals and families through personal visits to their South King County homes.
Impact
Since 2018 WHRA teachers, information navigators, volunteers, and community action groups have provided thousands of hours of direct services to hundreds of Afghan refugees living in Washington state. Below is a snapshot of some of these services. Our numbers are always going up!
Total Afghan individuals served through home visits
Families served
Ramadan food deliver and gifts
Children's coat and clothing deliveries
New car seats
Children served
Strollers
Family to Family long term diaper sponsor
Dipaper Assistance
Baby to Go Box for NewBorns
Bunk Beds
Beds with mattresses
Computer/Laptop/Tablet
Sewing Machines
Cars provided by special donation
Career counseling, information navigation assistance
Community Feedback
Providing a path forward through teaching, teamwork, and trust
It has been a privilege to serve and work with Whole Heart Refugee Alliance. I anticipated that volunteering with refugee families would be rewarding, but the benefits have far exceeded anything I could have imagined. I continue to be amazed with the resiliency, graciousness and generosity of both the refugee families and the cadre of volunteers from the many social service organizations.
WHRA has helped me take my unique skill set and perspective and use them to make a difference. JOHN, WHRA VOLUNTEER
I appreciate learning about the most cost-efficient way to source car seats, how to file a USCIS Form I-485 to apply for permanent residency, and the glory of an well-constructed database; but it is the pride evident in a young mother’s posture when she realizes she CAN learn English, the giggle of a curious toddler when I read them a story and make funny animal noises, and the smile on a young girl’s face when I hand her a stylish hijab-wearing Barbie made just for her that are most meaningful to me. Thank you, WHRA, for the gift of participating in the growth of goodness in the world. SHERRY, WHRA VOLUNTEER
PTukwila Children's Clothing Bank has been able to serve more children in need because of Wholeheart Refugee Alliance. Debbie and her team of ready and willing workers know how to scout out a need and procure a solution. Whether it is bringing a refugee family to shop for clothes or dropping by to get clothes for an urgent delivery, WHRA is on it. If they say they are going to do something, I can count on it. JILL, TUKWILA CHILDREN'S CLOTHING BANK
Moving from one country to another country with a different culture is a challenge. We settled in Seattle, and found and meet some New Friends, that they are voluntarily help the Refugees. They are helping the newcomer with household stuff, strollers, beds, crib and carseats for babies etc.They gave a baby shower for my wife and my friend’s wife at their own house. After 2 years we moved to start my own business. We are still good friends and have a very good relationship with WHRA team. I personally highly recommend every one especially those who are come to newly to the Washington State please be in touch with the team of “Whole Heart Refugee Alliance”. They are so kind, generous, and supporting the refugees, mostly the kids and babies. BAQER, WHRA CLIEN
PI went to class for those who come from Afghanistan and can’t speak English. This was very useful for Afghan women. They were coming with a team, some of them were teaching, some of them were taking care of our kids and babies. They brought us to story time at the library with our children. TAIBEH, WHRA CLIENT
Leaving two full houses back in Afghanistan and evacuation with a backpack was not an easy decision for me and my family, but I think we made a right decision for the future of our kids. I have a strong faith that we will soon overcome with this difficult situation and I really appreciate the government and people like you of this great country for assisting us. Thank you so much for your help and consideration!MOHAMMAD, WHRA CLIENT
I look forward to the opportunity to help immigrants like WHRA helped our family. I want to repay and be the one who brings a smile to others JALIL, WHRA CLIENT
I feel more relaxed when WHRA comes to our home and answers our questions. They helped us in emergencies like illness and a car accident. We did not feel alone. SADAF, WHRA CLIENT
When I wanted to make new goals WHRA helped me make a plan. We talked about always paying bills on time. I found a better job to support my family. We miss my son separated from us. WHRA helped us file papers for him. MAHBOBA, WHRA CLIENT
I like meeting helpers from WHRA and having a new friend. They showed me new places. I got to be a speaker with them and teach the community about Afghanistan and being a newcomer. Together we helped pregnant moms in my building. ZAHARA, WHRA CLIENT
We came all the way down here far away from our family and homeland. At first it was sad and painful but fortunately we met you and this great group. WHRA are kind people who helped us so much and they were like our family and never let us down or be hopeless. My wife loved her English teachers and learning in class. GHULAM, WHRA CLIENT
Being a refugee is not an easy task especially when you are a woman who travels with your family. When I was here in the US in 2019 I met Sarah from WHRA in Seatac. I was pregnant and me and my husband both were jobless since we were new in the US. As I met her she kept coming to my apartment and she was supporting me by saying this sentence, "one day, everything will be fine Farzana.” She taught me how to get a job and how to handle all the problems that I had especially during the Covid 19. The day I met Sarah since today, she is like my sister. The WHRA team is the best. FARZANA, WHRA CLIENT
Before I had a job, WHRA bought me a SIM card for 3 months so I had internet when I was out. It was freedom. When we first came here everything was left behind. I had 4 kids and not any stuff for my home. WHRA helped with everything for my house. They were my angels in the first difficult days. Now I know how to get things myself. RAZIA, WHRA CLIENT
When we wanted to find our first job WHRA helped us fill out the forms and get Covid tests to apply. She took us to talk to Outdoor Research and they hired us. Soon we get into the job and introduced many others to this factory. More than 30 of us. Everyone was so happy there and appreciated our WHRA helper. This was our first job with a good salary and benefits. My sister could buy her first family car, TV, and couch. She didn’t have that money before. Now we can both drive our own cars. MARZIA, WHRA CLIENT
WHRA support the new arrivals and do lots of work as volunteers. They provide household Items, especially bedding which is very difficult for the new arrival to have. The WHRA helped most of our clients with the Essentials First and Welcome Baskets. They are the best with all that they are doing. I am especially thankful to the team who help us find solutions to complicated problems. FARZANA, COMMUNITY OUTREACH CASEWORKER-REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT OFFICE