Please help us make Eid special for refugees and other zakat-eligible children by donating new, unwrapped gifts to the MCC Girl Scouts’ Fifth Annual Toy Drive. Toys can be purchased via the toy wishlist or at any store and dropped off at MCC. (Toy bins are in the foyer and MCC’s doors are open 10 am -10 pm daily.) We have about 10 days left, and we’re only halfway to our goal–please help!
Br. R.’s family left Afghanistan after the August 15th withdrawal of American forces. They arrived in California in November. In December they came to the East Bay Bazaar organized by MCC/SRVIC where they received clothes, blankets and basic necessities, plus a lead for employment. One week later, Br. R. and his brother, Br. H., obtained jobs at a restaurant five minutes from MCC through our referral. Their new employer-assisted Br. R.’s family with lodging, and all household necessities were provided by the Refugee Relief team from SRVIC and MCC. After passing his driving test in February, Br. R. picked up a car from MCC which had been donated by a restaurant patron. Due to their jobs, Br. R. and his family have been embraced by the Malaysian Muslim community of the Bay Area and are now chefs of Malaysian cuisine.
Sr. M. and her seven-year-old son arrived in California from Afghanistan in October and attended MCC’s first East Bay Bazaar, held in November. She and her son were driven by a community volunteer who lived 15 minutes from her hotel. Due to their interaction, the volunteer decided to adopt Sr. M. and her son as part of their community. Within two weeks, Sr. M. and her son moved into an apartment the volunteer co-signed for her. Her son enrolled in school, and Sr. M enrolled in adult English classes. Through the two bazaars that Sr. M. attended, we were able to provide her with basic necessities, and later, when she moved into permanent housing, the household items she needed to set up her new home.
Here are other ways to support refugees:
Join the furniture delivery WhatsApp group (no vehicle needed)
Offer in like-new condition furniture here
Purchase items from our wishlist
Sign up to volunteer with the food pantry
Learn about donating used cars here
Use this form to share housing or employment referrals and/or to indicate a willingness to co-sign on a lease
Questions? Feel free to reach out to us at refugee@mcceastbay.org.
