East Bay Afghan SIV Community Response Meeting

Join us for the first East Bay Afghan SIV Community Response Meeting

When: Wednesday, August 25, 2021
Time: 9:00 a.m – 10:00 a.m. (PST)

Meeting Hosts:
International Rescue Committee of Oakland, Jewish Family & Community Services – East Bay, Burma Refugee Families & Newcomers and
East Bay Refugee and Immigrant Forum

Link: Join Zoom Meeting

https://reftrans-org.zoom.us/j/86093040328?pwd=QVpNdGFOcVA4SEFJdnU0U0RscG1idz09

Note: This meeting will be recorded.

You can also dial in using your phone: (669) 900-6833

Meeting ID: 860 9304 0328

Passcode: 360024

Or one-tap mobile: +16699006833,86093040328#,*360024# US

Why: Many of us have watched the news since August 15 in shock and disbelief as the Taliban took control of Kabul and the government of Afghanistan. We hear the stories of our Afghan friends, colleagues, neighbors, and family members and agonize with them, wondering what part we can play, So many of you have enthusiastically reached out to our local resettlement agencies and community-based organizations, offering to support with your time, resources and expertise. As expected, we anticipate a significant surge in the number of Afghan SIV individuals and families arriving in the East Bay in the next few weeks. Let’s work together to welcome them and facilitate as smooth of a transition as possible!

What: The purpose of this meeting is to invite key stakeholders, partners, and community members to participate in a coordinated response to the immediate needs of the anticipated Afghan arrivals in the East Bay, especially Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Our hope is that by the end of the meeting, we will have clear action steps and onramps for all interested parties to participate and offer their services and/or resources, based on availability and expertise.

Please see the tentative agenda and Zoom link below and attached. And please share widely! This event is not limited to service providers.

In solidarity and hope,

East Bay Afghan SIV Community Response Planning Team
– Fouzia Azizi, Director of Refugee Services, Jewish Family & Community Services – East Bay
– Jordane Tofighi, Director, IRC Oakland
– Jodi de la Peña, Co-Executive Director, Burma Refugee Families & Newcomers
– Sean Kirkpatrick, Coordinator, East Bay Refuge & Immigrant Forum

Agenda:

9:00-9:05 a.m. Welcome and purpose/goals for today’s meeting (Jodi)

9:05-9:15 a.m. Resettlement Agency report (Jordane & Fouzia)

Recent and current status of Afghan SIV arrivals – evacuees and walk-ins

Immediate needs

9:15-9:20 a.m. Projected arrivals by 9/30 for Alameda & Contra Costa Counties + response (TBD)

9:20-9:30 a.m. Proposal for emergency response teams (Jordane, Fouzia, Jodi, + TBD)

5 tentative teams depending on emerging needs (housing, volunteers, case management, legal, health & wellness/mental health) + other

9:30-9:35 a.m. Proposal for structure & process of each team (Jodi + Team Leads TBD)

Introduce tentative team leads (if identified)

9:35-9:45 a.m. Questions & resource sharing (All)

9:45-9:55 a.m. Break-out rooms into 5 response teams + other

9:55-10:00 a.m. Next steps (Jodi)