January to June (The first half) of 2025 marked a dynamic and transformative period for the Afghan Support Network (ASN), showcasing significant expansion in programming, deeper community impact, and organizational growth across Oregon and SW Washington.
ASN strengthened its commitment to economic empowerment by supporting 237 job seekers through personalized Career Coaching & Employment Navigation, resulting in 79 successful job placements. Our Housing Navigation & Rental Assistance Program supported 338 households, disbursing over $653,982 in rental assistance to promote long-term housing stability. ASN’s Case Management Team provided 1,924 wraparound services to 682 clients, ranging from resource navigation and transportation support to services & health referrals and basic needs access. Over 620 Legal & Immigration Navigation & Support Services were provided to 182 clients, offering crucial support for asylum seekers, evacuees, and families navigating complex immigration pathways through ASN’s Legal & Immigration Services navigator and through referrals to our partner agencies and organizations.
In parallel, one of the key highlights of ASN services was the formalization and expansion of ASN’s Saturday School under the Youth Program, offering weekly Dari, Pashto, Tarbiya, Quran, and Cultural Education classes to over 60 children and teens, creating a strong foundation for cultural preservation and identity among Afghan youth. Adult Education also saw rapid growth, with the launch of ASN’s ESOL (English) Program, now offering 64 in-person & virtual English classes per month. We continued to deliver CompTIA A+ & Security+ IT certifications, Digital Literacy, Sewing, Parenting, Life Navigation in the U.S., Robotics & IT Bootcamps, and Women’s Madrasa sessions. In total, 450 students engaged in 5,423 education-related service touches, reinforcing our role as a trusted educational anchor for the Afghan community.
Another major milestone was reached through our Driver Ed (Education) Program, which served over 250 clients, helping women in particular gain driving skills and independence for the first time. ASN’s Doctor Recertification Program recorded its first major success as one participant passed the USMLE Step 1 Exam, while others progressed steadily toward their credentialing goals, creating a pathway for Afghan medical professionals to reenter their field in the U.S and three more awaiting their schedule exams in August & September 2025.
Our community engagement efforts were equally impactful. In the first six months, ASN hosted over a dozen Culturally relevant Community Events & Gatherings, including Iftar gatherings, Eid celebrations, Women’s & Mother’s Day events, the Women’s Bazar, Youth Leadership workshops, Cultural & Poetry Night, Sports Commission launch, and Health & Wellness sessions, drawing over 3,180 participants. These events served as platforms for connection, healing, and cultural expression.
Significantly, ASN officially launched its Health-Related Social Needs (HRSN) Program in Salem, supporting 25+ households with housing navigation, nutrition support, benefits enrollment, and health access. This addition sets the foundation for Tri-Countywide HRSN services. This period also saw the formalization of our Volunteer Program, building stronger community ownership and preparing for future service expansion along with responding to growing community needs. These efforts underscore ASN’s leadership in delivering culturally responsive, holistic, and community-led solutions.
Importantly, this period marked a new era of leadership at ASN, as we welcomed our first female Chairperson (Jamila Wahab), a professional educator whose background in academic leadership brings a fresh, equity-driven lens to our work. Her presence signals a bold step forward in elevating ASN’s programs to meet the changing demands of a growing, dynamic community.
Together, these milestones reflect a thriving, resilient Afghan-American community and ASN’s expanding impact as a culturally specific anchor institution. As we move into the second half of 2025, we remain committed to scaling youth initiatives, early learning programs, and wellness-centered services, ensuring every family we serve is supported with dignity, care, and opportunity.
The work continues as we aim to empower and uplift the Afghan community through these meaningful programs and services!
See photos below to learn more about ASN’s impact & monthly milestones achieved during this period.
