Information regarding the refugee situation in Afghanistan will be posted below as it becomes available.

Updates

News Release: 9/9/21 - Catholic Charities Maine to Administer Federal Afghan Placement and Assistance Program in Maine

August 27, 2021 - Information for our local Afghan community members

Afghan Client Info ENGLISH (PDF)

Afghan Client Info DARI (PDF)

Afghan Client Info FARSI (PDF)

Afghan Client Info PASHTO (PDF)

Maine families with loved ones in Afghanistan can email ILAP at info@ilapmaine.org (with “Afghanistan” in the subject line) or call (207) 699-4415 (be sure to mention Afghanistan if you leave a message) to get a consult with an attorney. Visit https://ilapmaine.org/afghanistan for more resources.

August 19, 2021 - Informational Fact Sheet
Afghan Refugee Update (PDF)

Regarding Donations

New arrivals are always delighted to receive Gift Cards so they can pick out specifically what their home needs and the clothing sizes and for the season needed. Most shop at WalMart. Hannaford and other food stores are also appreciated.

Please Mail Gift Cards to:
Catholic Charities Maine
Attn: Development Office
PO Box 10660
Portland, ME 04104

*You will receive a receipt for tax purposes if you include your name and address.

Please note: We are unable to accept donations of clothing, hard goods or furniture at this time as our storage it at full capacity.

Ways to help...

You can consider volunteering for an organization based in Rochester, NY. Rochester? Yes! In this day and age of the internet, we don’t have to live there to help SIVs who might settle there. (SIV stands for Special Immigrant Visa - for interpreters and others who worked with the U.S. government). Spend a couple of hours a week helping someone still in Afghanistan. Training is provided. You may save a life!

Hearts & Homes and Keeping Our Promise have a joint project which matches volunteers with SIV applicants. Volunteers help Afghans contact former supervisors and employers for letters of recommendation and employment verification. Volunteers must be savvy at internet research, comfortable with websites such as Facebook and LinkedIn, and able to establish a dedicated email address for their correspondence with the applicant. If interested, please send an email to helping@heartsandhomesforrefugees.org.