Refugee Resettlement

By Sarah Mortensen

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, a total of 11,454 persons were admitted to the United States as refugees during 2021. Khalid Barzgar of Vancouver was one of those refugees. When the Taliban took back control of Afghanistan in 2021, Barzgar had to leave his home country to survive. Through a special pathway, Barzgar, his wife and his wife’s sisters were able to flee their country of origin and obtain green cards to come to the United States. After a lengthy process, Barzgar and his family arrived at PDX in 2022 where they were greeted by volunteers from Lutheran Community Services Northwest (LCSNW) Immigration Services and fed a “culturally delicious welcome meal,” remembers Barzgar. They settled here in Vancouver, where he now works as the volunteer and care coordinator for the Refugee Resettlement Program with LCSNW. His background in nonprofit work and unique understanding of the challenges refugees encounter as they enter the United States helps him to relate to the clients his department serves, as well as train volunteers to know how to best help new refugees integrate into the community.

LCSNW’s Vancouver team of nearly 50 staff serve refugees and help expand a network of support for these clients by involving volunteers. “Volunteers are crucial,” says Barzgar. “Last year, our Vancouver office helped approximately 500 refugees and other immigrants.” LCSNW communications specialist, Shelly Strom, agrees. “Volunteers [play] a critical part in ensuring these [refugee] populations feel safe, cared for and have a network of support as they navigate their start here.” When immigrants arrive, they are first “provided the initial orientation of procedure and community resources,” explains Barzgar. “Volunteers provide transportation to these appointments, tutor them in English, help with job searches, assemble welcome kits, lead social outings and much more.”

Moving to a new home is said to be one of the most stressful life events; but moving to a new place where literally everything is new including the language, foods and customs is in a category all its own. The majority of recent refugees to Vancouver have come through special programs offered to Afghanis and Ukrainians who are fleeing due to war and instability. The worry they carry for the family members left behind often adds to their stress as they begin to make a new life. LCSNW strives to help refugee families with anything they may need to be successful, which is why case managers at LCSNW help connect new refugees to community volunteers who get to know them individually.

Barzgar recalls some dedicated volunteers who spent a lot of time with his family. “They showed us the rock-climbing gym in Downtown Vancouver, which my sister loved. She was rock climbing in Afghanistan, and it was one of the things she’d been missing about home.” They may have begun as volunteers assigned to Barzgar’s family, but they ended up “old friends.” continued on next page continued from previous page

LCSNW is always looking for more volunteers to befriend a refugee, but there are many other ways to help, in both short- and long-term commitments. Donations of household goods such as clean sheets, towels, dishes, and cleaning supplies are always greatly appreciated too. Barzgar has noticed that refugees often have in-demand skills such as mechanics and metal work, but the language barrier can make it difficult to communicate their background and work history. One volunteer reached out, offering his shop to help refugees practice these skills and obtain a job reference. Other local professionals, including tax accountants as well as HR managers, have offered to help refugees prepare for job interviews.

Anyone who has a desire to help can visit lcsnw.org/make-adifference/volunteer to find a list of volunteer opportunities. The needs of refugees are many, which is why volunteers with a variety of skills are also needed. If you have an idea to help that is not included on the website, LCSNW would be happy to hear it. “As an organization, LCSNW always is looking for volunteers to support refugees,” says Barzgar. “If someone wants to volunteer and they have expertise or ideas about how they can contribute, they should reach out to us.”

Sarah Mortensen holds a degree in marriage and family studies and works for Vancouver Public Schools as a paraeducator in addition to her role as associate editor of Vancouver Family Magazine. When Sarah is not reading to her kids or students, she is probably in her backyard taking care of her garden. She also enjoys hiking, hot chocolate, and dressing up for Halloween. She lives in Vancouver with her husband, son and daughter.