Afghan Refugee Assistance
THANKS FOR ALL OF THE WONDERFUL SUPPORT!
We are excited to announce that Operation Allies Welcome has been completed. All the guests we served have been matched with resettlement agencies and resettled across the United States. We want to thank everyone who has volunteered, purchased supplies, or sent in monetary donations in support of this very important mission. It truly has been life changing for so many people and has emphasized again how there are so many amazingly compassionate and caring individuals and organizations!
So what is next?
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of La Crosse will continue to work with local and statewide resettlement groups that are helping the Afghanistan people. We will continue using donated funds to assist with their housing needs and day-to-day expenses for these new neighbors. If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to Karen Becker at 888-212-4357.
Two Flags--Now One People
written by Charlie Peters
Catholic Charities Volunteer (Sept. - Nov. 2021)
Ft. McCoy--Operation Allies Refuge (OAR) / Operation Allies Welcome (OAW)
They came from a country with a dark past stained with blood looking with hope to the future.
They came to a land of hardiness and valor, innocent and pure, vigilant, and persevering in the name of justice.
Once these children feared for their lives, now their "concerns" are the "normal" activities of a child's day--for they came...
from things blowing up to blowing out birthday candles and bursting bubbles
from limited choices to choosing among scores of colors
from aircraft to crafts
from impossible circumstances to puzzles,
from Taliban to Jenga
from foot travel to football
from home to baseball
from volleys to volleyball
For their mothers, they came...
from afternoon tea to coffee
from bartering to buying
from regimented dress to freedom of dress
from subservience to independence
from escorts to passports
They came from Kabul...
They came from Germany, Italy, Qatar, Spain, Kosovo, Washington...
They came to Ft. McCoy!
They leave us now to be assimilated into a new country, a vast land of many people of differing races, religions, cultures and traditions...
They leave us now as friends...
They leave us now as brothers and sisters...
They leave us now but they will never be forgotten...
They leave us now as Christ Who lives among us!
"I assure you, as often as you did it for one of my least brothers, you did it for me."
Mt. 25:40
Afghan refugee shares story of survival and success in Green Bay
Great story, check it out!
Check out the Bishop’s statement!