Blogs

Gift of the Beggar
A hugely pregnant begging lady and her small daughter approached me as I was leaving Nob Hill with a shopping cart full of food. My inner witness watched in horror as I walked quickly by, giving her an unfriendly look.  Her voice had a pathetic tone and a Middle Eastern accent as she pitched her …
USA Hello Afghan Resource Center
The Afghan Resource Center offers practical information and resources for newly arriving Afghans to the USA. Find information in English, Dari, or Pashto on services and benefits, immigration, jobs, daily life, American culture, U.S. laws, money, health, and education. Use our Find Hello app to connect to local services in cities across the country. Find …
Red Cross Find Open Shelters Map
If an emergency has forced you to evacuate your home, the Red Cross may be able to help, Click here for more information.
FEMA Mobile App
The FEMA App allows you to receive real-time weather alerts, send notifications to loved ones, locate emergency shelters in your area, click here to learn and more.
Child and Parenting Laws
Providing for your child | Abuse and neglect | School Leaving a child home alone | Other important laws Tips on raising children new to the USA | Find help 
FindHello
Find services for Afghan evacuees in the US with a free app, FindHello. Search for English classes, health care, legal services and more. Download the free FindHello App for Android Download the free FindHello App for Apple
2/22/22 San Francisco and East Bay Mental Health Resources for Afghan Newcomers
2/22/22 San Francisco and East Bay Mental Health Resources for Afghan Newcomers.  
11/1/22 – Afghanistan One Year Out: Families in Transition
8/4/22 Afghan Health Leadership Consortium (AHLC) video training by Haris Tarin, Chief of Staff to Operation Allies Welcome.
Email Print Spanish Version LULAC NATIONAL HOTLINE GOES LIVE TO HELP STOP LATINO VOTER INTIMIDATION
Email Print Spanish Version LULAC NATIONAL HOTLINE GOES LIVE TO HELP STOP LATINO VOTER INTIMIDATION.
Apply for Federal Student Loan Debt Relief  OMB No. 1845-0167, Exp. Date 4/30/2023
Apply for Federal Student Loan Debt Relief  OMB No. 1845-0167, Exp. Date 4/30/2023 Application is open, but debt discharge is paused. As a result of a court order, we are temporarily blocked from processing debt discharges. We encourage you to apply if you are eligible. We will continue to review applications. We will quickly process …
History of Hate
My grandfather Francesco, left his dirt poor village in Sicily for America at the age of 16, after his father was murdered by gangsters. He worked in the cement yards in Chicago and augmented his income with bootlegging. One at a time, he brought his brothers and sisters to share the opportunities that could be …
Together We Do Better
  Each of CADRE’s partners brings value to our group and in December we highlight the Asian American Center of SCC (AACSCC), as the perfect example of the power of collaboration. AACSCC is a relatively small non-profit that has been working with Sacred Heart and Destination Home, providing emergency assistance to SCC’s vulnerable Asian population. …
Guide for Navigating the Current Crisis as a New Immigrant to US
  This is the first time I have published a “Guest Blog” and I am happy to share the following helpful 1st hand information on the refugee experience that I will never have.   – authored by Senait Abraha Moving to a new country and integrating to a new culture has always been challenging even under the …
World Refugee Day 2020 – Virtual Celebration
For the past 27 years, the Refugee & Immigrant Forum of Santa Clara County has celebrated World Refugee Day on the 20th of June, to bring awareness to the courage, perseverance, and resilience of refugees and the difficulties they still face. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we could not enjoy each other’s company, food, music and …
October 17th, 2019 – 30 Years Later
In honor of the 30th anniversary of the Loma Prieta Earthquake, I am sharing my experience of that event as a Red Cross Disaster Volunteer. There are many things we can’t control in life, but with some preparation, we can have a positive effect on the experience we have. On the Disaster page (https://immigrantinfo.org/…), you …
2020 Census – Everyone Counts
  The SC County Refugee and Immigrant Forum is making plans to support the 2020 Census by letting people know that EVERYBODY who is in the U.S. on April 1st should be counted. There has been plenty of seemingly orchestrated confusion over the purpose, confidentiality, and use of the U.S. Census information that will be …
SCC Service Providers Learning Stress Reduction Techniques
  On February 23rd, 25 people from 13 different agencies attended a workshop at the American Red Cross in San Jose. Participants included Counselors, Social Workers, Teachers, and other Service Providers who work with immigrants, refugees, asylees and others living with chronic stress and anxiety. They learned about how trauma is passed on in communities, …
DĂ­a de los Muertos / Day of the Dead
I have always loved the Day of the Dead. At first I was attracted to the surface “bling” of this popular Mexican holiday. I love the colors, the beautifully decorated altars, paisley skulls, stylishly dressed skeletons, and people of all ages in costumes and face paint. Gradually, as my understanding expanded, my appreciation for this ancient …
Families Belong Together
On June 30th, at rallies all over the country, people gathered together to send a message. I was able to participate in two of the Santa Clara County events. I was again inspired by the beauty, cleverness, humor and passion expressed on the signs and T-shirts. Some of the sentiments deserve to be shared with …
Self-Care in Difficult Times
  These are difficult times for immigrants and refugees. Since January 2016, there have been a steady stream of Executive Orders removing protections and rights for a population that was already vulnerable. The good news: Just as fear, depression and anger can be contagious, so are compassion, courage and creativity.When we make a conscious choice …
September 5th – A Day of Sadness and Support for Dreamers
 When DOJ Director, Jeff Sessions, announced the closeout of the DACA program, it was not a surprise. But it still sent a shock wave through the Dreamers’ community, that had been hoping until the last minute that facts, common sense, or compassion would win a reprieve. Response was immediate in Santa Clara County, with …
SCC Supports Immigrants with Expanding Rapid Response Network
On Wednesday, August 30th, a press conference was held to announce that the Rapid Response Network (RRN) will now cover the entire county. It has been active for 2 months in San Jose, and now enough volunteers have taken the ICE Observer training to respond to requests for assistance in any zip code. Call (408) …
65 Great Messages of Love at the Unity Rally in San Jose
  Hundreds of people changed their plans and gathered in San Jose on Saturday, June 10 to show their support to the Muslim-American community. This was all on short notice after hearing that an anti-Muslim demonstration was planned in Santa Clara County (as part of a nationally coordinated demonstration). Sidewalks at the intersection of Winchester …