Afghanistan Oregon Association

Happy (almost) New Year, friends! سال نو مبارک As we wrap up 2024, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported the Afghanistan Oregon Association this year. 🎈Whether you attended one of our events, volunteered your time, contributed individually, or even simply followed along and supported us by reading and sharing our posts—you’ve made an impact. 💙 Your support has allowed us to celebrate Afghan resilience, culture, and community here in Oregon. It’s because of people like you that we can continue to provide resources, create connections, and amplify the voices of our Afghan community. As we step into 2025, we’re excited for all that the new year will bring—a chance to grow, to serve, and to make an even greater impact together. 🌟 Here’s to a year of progress, unity, and hope for our Afghan community and beyond. From all of us at AOA, thank you for your kindness and commitment. Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful and prosperous 2025!

At AOA, we’re constantly inspired by the stories of resilience and strength that come from our Afghan community here in Oregon. From those who have just arrived to those who’ve been here for years, the Afghan spirit is one of hope, hard work, and giving back. 💡 Did You Know? Afghan refugees are building brighter futures by contributing to industries like healthcare, education, and entrepreneurship, often overcoming incredible challenges along the way. Today, we want to take a moment to honor all the individuals who work tirelessly to support their families and communities, even through al the barriers they face. Whether it’s through leadership, volunteerism, or simply showing up with courage every day—you are seen, you are valued, and you are making a difference. 📢 How You Can Help: • Share this post to amplify these stories of resilience. • Comment below: What inspires you most about the Afghan community? Together, we can continue to build a stronger, more inclusive future. 💙 #AfghanCommunity #PortlandOregon #ResilienceAndHope #RefugeeSupport #NonprofitWork

Today is International Men’s Day — and we want to recognize and celebrate the contributions and resilience of the men who continue to build, nurture, and lead within their families and communities, often in the face of adversity. From fathers and sons to mentors, brothers, and allies, we want to honor the men who show up with courage and kindness in their everyday lives. For Afghan men, strength is often found in persistence—in holding onto hope through displacement, in building new lives, and in standing by their families against the odds. Today, we celebrate that persistence. To the men who show up with integrity, compassion, and purpose: we see you. To the men working for a better, more equal and inclusive future: we thank you. To the men making a difference—those who listen, uplift others, and seek a more just world—we see you, we appreciate you, and we stand with you. Happy International Men’s day from AOA! 

سلامت روان شما مهم است October 10th is World Mental Health Day. We want to emphasize the importance of mental well-being, especially for Afghan refugees who have faced incredible challenges on their journey to safety. For many Afghan families, the experience of leaving home and adapting to a new life comes with feelings of loss, trauma, and uncertainty. But just as physical health is important, so is mental health. It’s okay to acknowledge the hardships and seek support when things feel overwhelming. Your mental well-being matters, and it’s a vital part of building a brighter, more stable future. Whether you are adjusting to life in a new country, missing loved ones back home, or navigating the challenges of rebuilding, you are not alone. There are resources and communities ready to support you on this journey. 📞 Oregon Resources for Support | :منابع حمایتی در اوریگون • Lines for Life: A 24/7 crisis line with multilingual support, including for Afghan refugees. Call 988 or text “HELP” to 273-TALK (8255). • NAMI Oregon (National Alliance on Mental Illness): Offers free support groups and educational resources. Call (503) 230-8009 or visit namior.org. Remember: Reaching out for help is a sign of strength. Your feelings are valid, and there are people who care about your well-being. Let’s continue to build a community where we uplift one another and prioritize mental health. #WorldMentalHealthDay #AfghanRefugees #YouAreNotAlone #MentalHealthMatters #CommunitySupport #OregonResources #HopeAndHealing

🎇 Community Spotlight: Saifullah Azizi 🌟 We want to take a moment to recognize and shout out a wonderful leader in our local Afghan community— Saifullah Azizi. He is a community organizer, entrepreneur, devoted family man, and a great person to look up to. We’re happy to know him! Not only is he deeply committed to the well-being of his community, but he also brings authentic flavors to the city through his businesses, PDX Halal Market with Kabul Kitchen. Thank you, Saifullah, for being a positive influence on our community!

Happy Labor Day, friends! Though it's usually seen as a cause for celebration as a three-day weekend, (😆) we ALSO celebrate the hard work and dedication of all workers who contribute to the growth and prosperity of our nation. This includes the incredible resilience and strength of our Afghan refugees and community who have become an integral part of the American labor force. Our Afghan community brings diverse skills, dedication, and a strong work ethic to the U.S., significantly contributing to various sectors, from healthcare and education to technology and hospitality. Here are some key contributions Afghan refugees make to our labor force: 📊 Statistics Highlighting Afghan Refugees’ Contributions: Economic Contribution: Afghan refugees are more likely to be employed than the general U.S. population, with an employment rate of approximately 67% compared to 63% for the overall population, showing a strong willingness and ability to integrate and contribute to the economy (Source: New American Economy). Diverse Skills and Occupations: Afghan refugees work across a range of industries, with a significant presence in healthcare (12%), manufacturing (11%), and accommodation and food services (10%). These sectors are vital for the U.S. economy, especially during and post-pandemic recovery (Source: Migration Policy Institute). Entrepreneurship and Small Businesses: Afghan refugees are known for their entrepreneurial spirit, with many starting small businesses that provide essential goods and services. Nearly 13% of Afghan immigrants are self-employed, compared to just 9% of the U.S.-born population (Source: American Community Survey). Educational Attainment: Over 25% of Afghan refugees have a bachelor’s degree or higher, contributing skilled labor to industries such as education, engineering, and IT (Source: American Immigration Council). As we celebrate Labor Day, let's recognize and honor the diverse contributions of Afghan refugees and all immigrants who, even through experiencing the traumas that are undoubtedly connected with having to flee one's homeland, are helping shape a stronger, more vibrant America. Together, we build. #LaborDay #RefugeesWelcome #AfghanRefugees #StrongerTogether #AmericanWorkforce #CommunityStrength

Exciting news! AOA is offering TWO @coursera workshops on the first and third Thursday of each month! This’ll be designated time for folks to come in, use the community laptops, get training on how to work on getting Coursera certifications that’ll further your career, study, get support from the AOA team, and more. To get started, you can contact Argent at employment@afg–or.org. The workshops will take place at our Gresham location: 18630 SE Division St., Gresham, OR 97030. The first one is this Thursday, July 18th. See you all there! 

Today, we honor Juneteenth, a day that marks the end of slavery in the United States and celebrates freedom, resilience, and the ongoing fight for equality. Juneteenth, observed on June 19th, 1865, is a powerful reminder of the strength and determination within marginalized communities. Our Afghan community understands the importance of this day, coming forth as a community that shares a rich history of resilience and a quest for freedom. Highlighting events like Juneteenth is crucial as it reminds us of the progress we have made and the work that still lies ahead. By spotlighting these significant moments in history, we recognize the injustices that have been overcome and those that persist today. It is a call to action for continued solidarity, understanding, and advocacy. As we celebrate Juneteenth, we encourage reflection on the importance of supporting and uplifting all marginalized communities,. Our collective commitment to justice and equality paves the way for a more inclusive and compassionate society. Together, we can ensure that every individual, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to live freely and with dignity. With love, AOA #Juneteenth #FreedomDay #Resilience #AfghanRefugees #CommunitySupport #CulturalHeritage #Solidarity #JusticeForAll #Unity #Nonprofits #OregonNonprofit

Hello, all! We wanted to start a new series putting the spotlight on local PNW Afghan businesses + services. First up, we have a newer business: Oregon Afghan Halal Market at 2929 SE Powell St., Portland OR 97202. A great addition to our community, this market has halal meats, produce, spices, snacks, appliances, and more. Please go visit them for your Afghan supply needs! What are some Afghan businesses you want to shout out? Our goal is to continue uplifting our community and bring awareness to our amazing and talented people, so if you have a great spot to nominate, PLEASE share! With love, Your AOA team 🌷 #pnwbusiness #portlandbusiness #afghanfood #afghanmarket #portlandmarket 

Some interesting stats on Afghan immigrants: As migrationpolicy.org states, Afghan immigrants tend to have lower income, more poverty, less education, and are less likely to become naturalized US citizens than almost all other immigrants in the US. With the trauma of violence, war, inequality and injustice, and being ripped away from their land that many have had to endure, these stats unfortunately make sense. We’re working every day to try and make an impact and change these statistics - one family at a time. This is why we find it important to focus on supporting our community with educational resources, career resources, housing and food support, youth mentoring, and more. We’re hoping to make building generational strength and foundations easier for our Afghan community. Because if there’s one thing we know to be true, it’s that Afghans are resilient, strong willed, and extremely hard working people. Thank you for supporting our mission in supporting them (and us)! 🌷 #AOA #NPO #COMMUNITY #AFGHAN #SUPPORT