Fresno has always welcomed immigrants. Now is the time for us to take in Afghan refugees

Located in the beautiful, culturally rich Central Valley, Fresno takes pride in being one of the most diverse cities in the United States. From immigrants to multiple generations of born-and-raised Californians, our wide array of heritages, languages and stories makes our city vibrant and unique.

When we at Bethany Christian Services of Northern California heard heartbreaking stories of Afghans fleeing their homes for safety, our first reaction was, “What can we do to help?” The call to help Afghans who served alongside U.S. troops, fought for human rights, and were persecuted because of their religious beliefs is a call we cannot ignore.

California cities like Sacramento, San Francisco, and Modesto have become home for Afghan families over the years — and now it’s time for Fresno to join them in welcoming our new neighbors. We at Bethany Christian Services anticipate resettling 50 Afghans in Fresno in the coming weeks and invite families in the Central Valley, like yours, to join us in welcoming them.

Our new Afghan neighbors will need volunteers to help provide tangible resources like child care and transportation, helping them practice English or being a tour guide in our local area. When they first arrive, they will also need basic household goods like kitchen supplies and bedding. We will accept donations of clothing and school supplies to help make the transition easier as they begin their new life here in California.

At Bethany, we believe the love of Jesus compels us to not only love our neighbors, but to love them as ourselves. This means in addition to giving donations and providing resources, we can further welcome refugees to our city by simply being a friend.

Behind every face we see and every name we read, there is a story of resilience and determination. Mothers fled with children in their arms in the middle of the night. Fathers helped their families escape to the airport and spent days or weeks sleeping on the floor until they were all able to board a plane headed for safety. They fled traumatic and dangerous situations that most of us could never imagine, amidst gunfire and at the center of international media attention. They are not just a news story — they are men, women, and children who chose to fight for their survival and lost their homes and their communities.

I have been proud to call Fresno my home for nearly my entire life and I am thankful for every relationship I have in our community. Time and time again, I have seen people volunteer their own resources to help their neighbors in times of need, like local students distributing and packing food at our food banks and pantries or churches coming alongside others experiencing loss. We are a community that meets the needs of our neighbors when called upon.

And right now, a new need is here. It is my hope and prayer that we will see countless families and people step up because welcoming our neighbors to their new home begins with each one of us giving what we can.

To learn more about how you, your church, or your family can help, please visit bethany.org/afghanistan.