Thank you!
To everyone who was able to join our livestream or in-person Benefit4Change event, we appreciate your friendship, compassion and support. If you weren't able to tune in, you can still take part in the celebration by watching the recorded video again below and making a secure online donation now.
2022 John Backer Champions 4 Change Honorees
CWS has welcomed 7,644 Afghan arrivals since August 2021. This monumental accomplishment would not have been possible without support from Afghan advocates and community leaders who stepped up to lend their time, skills and resources. Like John Backer, this group of champions have been dedicated to supporting and welcoming new arrivals over the past year in communities across the country.
“I am a single mother of four and I learned English, I go to the store, I go to my appointments. I am happy to be this example for [Afghan women] and help them learn to live in their new community.”
“When I started to work for CWS last year, I was the person who welcomed many of the Afghan evacuees. It was very joyful for them when they came to the airport and they saw somebody from Afghanistan at the airport to greet them.”
“I am feeling happy and proud to welcome other Afghans to their new community and to help them to feel comfort.”
“Serving and welcoming your countryman is enjoyable and It gives you a good feeling and energy when you meet and help your people in a different country.”
“When you lose your home, friends, family, and motherland and leave them all behind, it carries a great deal of pain and suffering that stays with you for the rest of your life. As a person who shares [that], I did anything to lessen their pain and make the welcome pleasant.”
“When I came to the United States in 2018, my case worker did not speak my language. Me and my family were too shy to ask or share something with her. I don't want others to have that experience. I wanted to use my skills to help Afghans in need.”