No One Rebuilds Alone: Empowering Afghan Allies

The mountains of Afghanistan faded into the distance as Younis’s evacuation flight climbed above Kabul, leaving behind the only home he had ever known. At 36, he was a husband, father of five, and a man who had risked everything serving alongside American forces. For over a decade, he had worked as an interpreter, believing their shared mission would bring democracy to his country.

When the Taliban seized power in August 2021, Younis’s world shattered. He and thousands of other Afghans who had supported U.S. forces—interpreters, translators, cultural advisors, drivers, NGO workers, and human rights activists—became immediate targets. Joining approximately 76,000 others airlifted to safety in the United States, Younis left everything behind, the fate of his family who remained in Afghanistan weighing heavily on his heart.

Arriving in Virginia as an Operation Allies Welcome evacuee, Younis stood at the edge of a life he never imagined. After living on a military base for several months, he was eventually granted permission to leave and assigned a refugee caseworker who instructed him to sign an apartment lease—despite having no income. Six days later, his caseworker stopped responding to his calls and Younis was left to navigate on his own.

Younis used his savings to purchase a car and began driving for Uber. Younis would drive all day but his pay barely covered rent and left little to send back to his family in Afghanistan. Gradually, Younis sank into depression as the trauma of war, financial strain, and isolation took their toll. He developed headaches, stomach pains, and nightmares. He knew he needed help, but he didn’t know where to turn—until a friend told him about AsylumWorks.

AsylumWorks became Younis’s beacon of hope. Working with AsylumWorks staff, Younis identified his needs and priorities. He set goals and worked with our team to meet those goals. He learned new coping skills to process his trauma and overcome the barriers that depression had placed on his daily life. AsylumWorks provided cash assistance for groceries and clothing, a laptop, and a connection to a health clinic. Younis worked with a career coach to find a job that  used his skills. With our comprehensive approach, Younis’ physical and mental health improved, and his future began to take shape. For the first time since his evacuation, he could breathe again.

“When I first arrived in the U.S., I felt stuck. AsylumWorks became my bridge to the future. They didn’t just give me support – they gave me the knowledge and tools I needed to rebuild my life. The impact you have had on my life will live on forever.”

Within funding from the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement, AsylumWorks leads a coalition of community partners across the D.C. metro area committed to empowering Afghan allies like Younis to thrive in their new communities. Working alongside these health clinics, mosques, and immigration legal providers, we help Afghan newcomers build safe, stable, and self-sufficient lives in the United States—turning the promise of refuge into the reality of a new beginning.