Afghanistan citizens are currently fleeing their homeland, attempting to find refuge and support in other nations. Approximately 3,000 U.S. troops were withdrawn from Afghanistan in recent months, prompting the Taliban military organization to seize control. This power shift has instilled fear of tyrannical rule, neglect to provide critical services, and unequal distribution of rights. Currently, there is a huge influx of Afghanistan refugees immigrating into populated cities like Chicago. The Parker Immigration Justice Civic Lab took notice and raised money to provide support to those in need. 

Civic Lab is a Parker program designed to prompt student engagement in Chicago-related issues. It is exclusive to the junior class and encourages education and advocacy. The Immigration Justice civic lab focuses on informing students on issues regarding local immigrants in the context of national events and historical realities. Over the years, the group has met with immigrants, activists, and government officials. 

“Our goal is to advocate for the rights and welfare of immigrants coming into the US,” junior and member of the Immigration Justice civic lab Jack Kahan said. “Especially that those under stressful circumstances can find a welcoming home here and be able to become a part of our society.”

The civic lab group spent time educating themselves on the Afghanistan crisis, and began brainstorming ways in which they could help. Upper School English teacher and faculty facilitator of the civic lab Matt Laufer had a connection with RefugeeOne, an organization working to support immigrants. Every year, they serve over 2,500 immigrants, regardless of age or ethnic/religious background.

According to a statement on their website, “Our primary focus is to assist these resilient individuals in becoming an independent, self-supporting member of their new community.” 

Laufer was planning to involve RefugeeOne in the civic lab’s future endeavors. Kahan had a prior connection with RefugeeOne, decided to get involved, and connected Laufer with the RefugeeOne Director of Development.

“I thought this was a great way I could get involved,” Kahan said. “Given the current crisis in Afghanistan and the amount of refugees coming into the country, I thought now could be the perfect time to do something with our group.”

 On an email chain, the three discussed ways they could assist the large community. RefugeeOne suggested the civic lab raise $5,500 in order to provide for 50 immigrant families in need of support. The civic lab brainstormed ideas to raise money, and several students suggested making a GoFundMe, an online fundraising platform. The conflict was, the group only had one week before their next meeting, meaning only one week to raise the money. 

“We thought we’d maybe raise a couple thousand dollars at the most and we ended up going a thousand over our goal of $5,500. We made $6,690 which was incredible,” Kahan said. “To everyone that donated, we’re so grateful and your money is making a huge difference in the lives of refugee families coming to Chicago from Afghanistan.”

Students who were a part of the civic lab and members of the Parker community promoted the GoFundMe page on social media platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook. Soon, it gained traction and the goal amount was exceeded in a matter of days. 

“Honestly I know that Parker is a generous place,” Laufer said. “There’s a lot of enthusiasm here and there are people that have some wealth and who want to put it to good use. But still, I was just kind of blown away. I didn’t think that we could do what we did.”

Parker parent Carey Goldblatt donated to the GoFundMe and appreciates the students striving to understand and raise money for the situation, given its severity.

“My heart goes out to these individuals and families who have left behind so much of what they know and have—including simple possessions, to escape the instability of the last years and especially more recent months in Afghanistan,” Goldblatt said. “I believe we have a responsibility as humans to help, and as Americans particularly we bear responsibility to help those who aided us, and/or whose lives were upended because of our actions.”

The raised money is being used to buy kits containing home essentials for families. Each kit costs about $110 and contains stovetop cookers, rice pots, tea carafes, special serving spoons, prayer rugs, and lotas for washing and ablutions. Participating students set out on Devon Avenue and bought these items from immigrant-owned shops. A total of 50 kits were distributed to 50 different apartments. 

Laufer noted that immigrants “add so much value” to the country’s prosperity, and therefore it makes sense from a strategic, economic, political, and social standpoint to provide support. 

“Specifically with Afghanistan, it just seems so particularly crazy to abandon these folks who were working for the American government, who were risking their lives, and in particular when the Americans pulled out, were at great risk of being targeted by the Taliban for having helped our country,” Laufer said. “It’s the least we can do as a country to support folks who risked their lives to support us.”

This story was originally published on The Weekly on November 29, 2021.