Afghanistan Oregon Association

12/31/2024

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!

11/20/2024

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.

So 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!

10/10/2024

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.

10/05/2024

🇦🇫 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! 💥

09/10/2024

On this National Su***de Prevention Day, we want to remind you that your life has immense value. In the Afghan community, it’s often difficult to talk about mental health, but your feelings are valid, and asking for help is a sign of strength.

Many Afghans, whether in Afghanistan or as refugees, face unique challenges—including trauma from war, displacement, and resettlement. These struggles can sometimes feel overwhelming, but please know, you are not alone. Mental health is just as important as physical health, and it’s okay to seek help when you need it.

If you or someone you know is struggling, don’t hesitate to reach out for support. There are resources available to provide you with help in a safe and understanding environment. 💙

📞 National Su***de Prevention Lifeline: Dial 988
📱 Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

✨ Remember: You Matter. تو مهم هستی

Let’s work together to break the stigma, support one another, and make mental health a priority in our community. You are loved, you are important, and we are here for you.

***dePreventionDay

09/03/2024

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 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.

08/09/2024

More upcoming AAPI, cultural, educational and resourceful events coming up for our PDX community. 🎈

08/07/2024

Some events for the community coming up. Share and explore to connect, learn, grow, and have fun!

07/18/2024

Hey everyone!

We want to put a spotlight on our local Afghan businesses, so welcome to Spotlight Wednesday! Today we’re sharing (on instagram) on SE Division St.

We’re so excited and proud to have such a beautiful space built by Afghan immigrants in our city. They offer a delicious variety of desserts, drinks, and snacks that we can’t WAIT to try.

Let’s support our local Afghan American community and enjoy some amazing treats! 🌷🩷

See you at !



📸 from

07/15/2024

Exciting news! AOA is offering TWO 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!

07/09/2024

07/06/2024

Join our free ESL classes and improve your English in a supportive environment. Classes are held at our office every week at 18630 SE Division St. in Gresham, OR.

Contact Argent at employment@afg–or.org for more information! 🌷