AACO and Afghan HOPE Community Organization are teaming up to cover how to navigate TSA & CBP device searches without compromising your data, as well as actionable tips from experts who advocate for Afghan and wider immigrant communities every day.
Whether you’re traveling this summer or supporting newly arrived families, empower yourself with the knowledge to stay safe online and under today’s immigration landscape.
Register here.

Join 25+ private employers and state department recruiters to start your future career! For assistance, please get in touch with (916) 324-6202 or akenese@asianresources.org. Register here.

This workshop focuses on understanding and reducing stigma surrounding neurodiversity, particularly among refugee and immigrant youths.

We are thrilled to invite you and your community to our Community Healing & Resource Fair on April 12, 2025, 11-3 PM, hosted by Partnerships for Trauma Recovery (PTR) in Berkeley, CA. This event is designed to provide holistic wellness, healing, and community support for immigrants and newcomers in the Bay Area.

Take a behind-the-scene tour at the Marine Mammal Center and learn about wild animal rehabilitation and view sea pups. Spend the after at Rodeo Beach. Transportation, lunch and dinner are provided. This trip for low-income immigrant and refugee children/youth is organized by REDA. See flyers for more information.

Connect with employers and learn about exciting summer and year-long options internships in public services, education, climate, and other fields. This event is open to LA city residents aged 16 to 30. Register here. 

Date & Time: Tuesday, March 25th, 2025, 4:00PM to 7:00PM 

Location: Multipurpose Room at Los Angeles City College (LACC) 

Address: 855 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90029 

Join the transformative workshops combining art therapy and sustainability for refugees. Express yourself and connect through creative activities using recycled materials, building lasting connections in our diverse community.

Workshop Option 1

• March 22nd, 2025, 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm PT

• City Heights/Weingart Branch Library, 3795 Fairmount Ave, San Diego, CA 92105

• Duration: 2 hours

• Group Size: 20 participants

Key Activities:

• Storytelling Through Art

• Sustainable Materials Workshop

How to Sign Up

• Email: trisharaoglow@gmail.com and let us know you are joining.

• Free participation. Materials and Snacks will be provided.

Workshop Option 2

• March 22nd, 2025, 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm PT

• Valencia Park/ Malcolm X Branch Library, Market St, San Diego, CA 92105

• Duration: 2 hours

• Group Size: 50 participants

Key Activities:

• Storytelling Through Art

• Sustainable Materials Workshop

How to Sign Up

• Email: trisharaoglow@gmail.com and let us know you are joining.

• Free participation. Materials and Snacks will be provided.

Program Benefits:

• Process experiences through creative expression

• Connect with a supportive community

• Learn sustainable art practices

• Receive professional art therapy guidance

Special Event: Submit your art to our "Art of Resilience" Online Art Exhibition in April 2025.

Have you recently lost your job or are you at risk of losing your job? There are supportive benefits and services to assist you as you transition to a new position.

• What: SETA Sacramento Works is here to support you every step of the way. Our upcoming event is designed specifically for Dislocated Workers (those who have lost their jobs/experienced a lay-off), providing invaluable insights and resources tailored to your unique situation. Engage with experienced workforce professionals and community partners dedicated to helping you succeed. You'll learn about targeted services and benefits available to you, including workshops that enhance your skills, personalized coaching sessions, and access to job placement services that can accelerate your path to employment. Don't miss this opportunity to take steps toward a successful career transition. Join us and empower yourself with the knowledge and support to navigate change effectively. Together, we can build a stronger workforce and a brighter future for you. Agencies present:

• Unemployment Insurance Benefits

• EDD Workforce Services (EDD-WFS)

• America’s Job Centers of California (AJCCs)

• Covered California (CoveredCA)

• U.S. Department of Labor – Employee Benefits Security Administration (DOL-EBSA)

• Who should attend: Any recently laid-off worker or someone who is concerned that they may be laid off

• When: Tuesday, March 18, 10:00 – 12:00 pm

• Where: In person at SETA, 925 Del Paso Blvd, Ste 100, Sacramento, CA 95815 or Virtual (Link will be provided after registration).

• Cost: Free

Register here.

Date: Tuesday, March 18th

Time: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM PT

The webinar will feature insights from experts in the field, including Dr. Ahmad Fahim Pirzada and Ms. Asiya Yama from the ReproNet team.

Register here: Webinar Registration

Learning objectives:

• Describe how newly arrived versus more established Afghans may differ in clinical and psychosocial needs

• Understand how to use the OB-GYN Care for Afghans: A Toolkit for Clinicians resource when caring for Afghans

• Identify at least three key cultural considerations for providing reproductive health care to Afghan newcomers

• Identify at least three medical screening considerations for caring for the reproductive health needs of Afghans

Date: Friday, January 31

Time: 1-4 pm

Location: 120 Stevens Ave, Solana Beach, CA 92075

See flyer below for more information

Afghan Path Towards Wellness offers Women’s Support Groups for those who live in North Alameda County. The support group provides a safe and supportive space for Afghan adults to embark on a journey towards improved well-being, mental health, and personal growth.

Language Served (other than English): Farsi, Dari, Pashto

Location: 440 Grand Avenue, Suite 500, Oakland, CA 94610

Contact: Shamim Mujaddide, Mujaddide@rescue.org

See flyers below for more information

World Relief Southern California is hosting a FREE DACA workshop on January 29th. 

WHEN: Wednesday, January 29th

TIME: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM

WHERE: Communion Church

ADDRESS: 6555 Balboa Ave, San Diego CA, 92111

Please follow these steps to sign up:

1. Register - complete the January 29 workshop registration form linked below to submit your registration.

2. We will call you between January 20 and January 25 to assess your eligibility and email the workshop details.

3. This service is ONLY for CA residents

Registration required! Sign up via this link.

For General Questions, you may contact socalsandiego@wr.org

AACO, Project Anar, and GERA (Global Emergency Response and Assistance) California will be hosting a workshop to help people learn more about asylum and immigration rights for those who have recently arrived in the United States.

Participants will be able to hear directly from the Immigration Attorney and Co-Director of Project Anar - Sara Kohgadai alongside Immigration Attorney & AACO Board of Director - Spojmie Nasiri. Together, they’ll share the latest information on immigration and asylum policies and answer your questions to ensure Afghans and others know their rights under the current administration.

This presentation will be available in English, Farsi, & Pashto!

Date and Time: Saturday, January 25, 12-2 pm

Location: 1616 Del Paso Blvd, Sacramento CA

Register here.

Please fill out the form to RSVP your attendance at the meeting.

This meeting will take place IN-PERSON at Sacramento Employment and Training Agency (SETA).

Address: 925 Del Paso Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95815. Free parking on site.

Date: Thursday, January 16

Time: 10:00 am - 11:30 pm

This orientation, by the California Department of Public Health, Office of Refugee Health, is for sponsors of refugees who have or are arriving under the Welcome Corps Program AND for supporters of newly arrived humanitarian parolees from Afghanistan, Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, Ukraine, and Venezuela. Parolees and Refugees are welcome to attend as well as service providers. 

The session is live and includes time for anonymous Questions & Answers.  

This session focuses on benefits and services in California. 

Register for the orientation here.

The IRC Resident Leadership Academy Program will host a TREE PLANTING EVENT at El Cajon Hillside Park next week.

• Please join us in supporting the planting of 25 trees.

• We’ll give you beautiful plants and flowers and seeds to take home as a gift to help decarbonize the environment.  Please feel free to share this event with your clients, friends, and family members.

• Refreshments will be available!

Details:

• Date: Friday, December 13th at 1 PM

• Address: Hillside Park, located at 840 Buena Terrace, El Cajon, CA 92020

Orientation for Persons Granted Asylum Status

Tuesday, December 10, 2024 | 10 am – 12 pm PST    

Presented by CA Department of Public Health's Office of Refugee Health, SF Department of Public Health's Newcomers Health Program, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Join this free webinar on Benefits and Services for Persons Recently Granted Asylum. There will be opportunities for live questions and answers throughout the session. This webinar is in English with simultaneous interpretation in Spanish. 

New Asylees have the right to public benefits, programs, and other resources. Some of the benefits are time-sensitive and time-limited. The webinar share helpful information on: 

• Important documents 

• Help with cash and food 

• Healthcare 

• Your right to work 

• School systems 

• Immigration benefits, including traveling, petitioning for relatives, and legal permanent residency  

This webinar covers the same topics and is offered monthly. It is held every second Tuesday of the month from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. PST.

Register here. For questions, please email asyleehealth@cdph.ca.gov.

Date and time: Nov 26 | 11 am-3 pm
Location: 300 W Carl Karcher Way, Anaheim
Free turkey or chicken distribution
Holiday toys & resources

Come to El Cajon Valley High School’s Resource Fair on November 23, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm in the school parking lot! With over 20 organizations represented, you will find resources for medical care, nutrition, employment, education, and more. Free flu shots, clothing, and grocery giveaways are available. 

Download flyers in English, Arabic, Farsi, Pashtu, and Spanish.

PROVIDER EDUCATION: Advancing Afghan Women's Health: Policies, Resources, and Best Practices

Date and Time: Thursday, November 21, 12 noon to 2 pm Pacific Time / 3 pm to 5 pm Eastern Time

Register here

As a result of recent global changes, Afghan women and girls face significant health challenges as they adapt to new lives and U.S. healthcare systems. The broader resettlement landscape—including policies and systemic factors—impacts healthcare access, while cultural and language barriers, along with traditional family dynamics and gender expectations, create added complexities in receiving care. This training equips providers with key insights and strategies to foster a compassionate, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed environment that empowers Afghan women, honors family dynamics, and fosters community resilience. Participants will leave prepared to support Afghan women holistically, honoring their experiences and unique needs.

Learning Objectives

After attending our meeting, you will be able to:

• Recognize health challenges faced by Afghan females

• Identify policies impacting Afghan women’s health rights and access

• Use resources to enhance health access and health literacy for Afghan women

• Apply culturally competent, trauma-informed care

• Facilitate community engagement by fostering trust and collaboration with Afghan leaders

   

Featured Speakers 

• Kawser Amine, NorCal Refugee Organizer, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA)

• Malalai Safi, MPPA, Senior Community Wellness Specialist, International Rescue Committee (IRC), Sacramento, CA

• Yassaman "Yasi" Vedad, Community Wellness Specialist, International Rescue Committee (IRC), Sacramento, CA

• Heike Thiel de Bocanegra, PhD, MPH, Chair, Refugee Reproductive Health Network (ReproNet), Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine

Join us for a dynamic and engaging event featuring expert panelists offering valuable insight & effective strategies toward addressing substance use-related issues.

Location: Marina Village, 1936 Quivira Way, San Diego, CA, 92109

Presented by Somali Family Service's Elevate Youth California youth ambassadors — this event is intended to serve the following attendees:

• Community-based organizations' staff & representatives

• Supporters of uplifting immigrant & refugee community members

• Youth & families seeking culturally & linguistically appropriate resources

Here is a video from a previous event, as a reference.

Register today for this no-cost event here.

This information session on Thursday, October 31 from 12 PM - 12:45 PM EDT / 9 AM - 9:45 AM PDT will provide information for the refugee-serving organizations to learn more about how to connect the refugees in their network to Tent’s free professional mentorship programs. This session will provide important program updates and reminders along with guidance on how to refer refugee clients ahead of the upcoming mentee registration deadline on November 22.

To register for the session and receive the Zoom call-in formation, please REGISTER HERE.