Growth and Unity: The Afghan Community Center
4308 Pearl Road - Future Afghan Community Center
Cleveland has welcomed many newcomers over the years to build their lives in the city we call home. According to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, since 2020, more than 7,000 refugees arrived in the state of Ohio, with over 2,300 arriving in Cleveland. Over 1,000 of them arrived to Cleveland from Afghanistan. There are many essential organizations around the city of Cleveland that provide resources for newcomers to thrive in the United States; one of which is the newly developing Afghan Community Center right here in the Old Brooklyn neighborhood.
As stated by the United Nations, “Refugees are people forced to flee their own country and seek safety in another country. They are unable to return to their own country because of feared persecution as a result of who they are, what they believe in or say, or because of armed conflict, violence or serious public disorder.” Refugees are invited by the State Department to come to the U.S. and are legal residents on a pathway to citizenship. Upon arriving in the United States, there are so many learning curves and things to navigate in a new country: finding employment, learning a new language, securing stable housing, locating community, and more.
The Afghan Community Association is working to address barriers for Afghan refugees by creating a welcoming community center where the Afghan community can connect, learn, and thrive. A goal of the center is to foster a sense of belonging and promote Afghan culture and traditions in northeast Ohio through cultural programming, educational programs, and religious activities. Services and activities hosted by the center will include English classes, religious celebrations, Afghan cultural courses, and more.
They recently purchased the property at 4308 Pearl Road, which will serve as the community center. Situated in Old Brooklyn, the building is easily accessible and provides plenty of space to accommodate the various uplifting programs the center will have to offer. Currently, their focus is on renovating the building, which they hope to complete by the end of this year.
Once the center is open, it will serve as a space where the Afghan Community Association can provide needed support and education to help new residents adjust to life in the United States and provide activities that preserve and promote Afghan culture and traditions. “We envision the Afghan Community Center as a beacon of hope and unity,” their team said, “where our community can come together, share our experiences, and build a brighter future for ourselves and our neighbors.”
They are still raising funds to assist with the building renovations! If you are interested in donating, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-us-set-up-a-community-center-for-afghans. If you want to volunteer, please contact Ahmad Farid Aria of the Afghan Community Association at ACA@afghancommunityassociation.org for more information.