HIAS MAINE
NEWS & MEDIA
One year after U.S. withrawal, Maine organizations continue to support Afghan evacuees
Sean Stackhouse - August 23rd, 2022
PORTLAND, Maine — Just more than one year after the U.S. Military's withdrawal from Afghanistan, community organizations in Maine have continued to support those fleeing the violence.
Watch the story on News Center Maine...
Maine Sens. King and Collins to travel abroad to support Ukrainian refugees
Sean Stackhouse - March 17th, 2022
Watch the story on News Center Maine...
The experiences and challenges facing Afghan refugees arriving in Maine since the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan
Aired December 20, 2021
In the months since the U.S. troop withdrawal in Afghanistan, some refugees have made their way to Maine. We’ll find out what challenges they have faced, what help is available and still needed, and what the outlook is for their new lives here.
Listen to the entire Maine Calling episode on Maine Public...
Maine agencies, Afghan community leaders respond to growing number of refugees
BY KELLEY BOUCHARD PORTLAND PRESS HERALD - Posted November 15, 2021
Naeem Walizada raised his arm and blocked the butt of the Kalashnikov assault rifle that was aimed at his head.
It was August, and Walizada and his family were on their way to Kabul’s airport – seven frightened people among thousands who were streaming across the capital city, hoping to get on an evacuation flight as U.S. troops withdrew from Afghanistan.
Walizada was on the ground, beaten down by Taliban fighters who were trying to stop the tidal wave of people attempting to flee before the Islamist military organization completed its takeover.
Department of State selects second Portland to group help resettle refugees in Maine
Sean Stackhouse - November 4th, 2021
2nd Portland group selected to help resettle refugees in Maine
Nick Schroeder October 31, 2021 - Updated
PORTLAND, Maine — Afghans and other immigrant refugees arriving in Maine will soon have more options for help getting on their feet.
The Department of State has approved HIAS, an international refugee resettlement program, to mobilize a second Portland-based organization to help acclimate immigrant refugees to their new lives in and around Maine.
Portland’s Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine was selected by HIAS as one of seven new resettlement services centers in its network.
Jewish Community Alliance becomes second refugee resettlement agency in Maine
By Ari Snider Published November 3, 2021 at 5:56 PM EDT
Maine has a new federally approved refugee resettlement agency. The Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine could begin working with refugees as soon as next month.
The JCA has been approved to work with up to 125 refugees over the next year, joining Catholic Charities Maine as the second resettlement agency in the state.
The JCA could welcome their first arrivals in December, but executive director Molly Curren Rowles said it may take some time to get up to speed.