Afghan refugees moving to Minnesota, support needed for families

A Minnesota senator and former governor joined together Sunday to support an organization that helps refugees.

Alight, a nonprofit based in Minneapolis, is expecting more than 250 refugee families from Afghanistan to move to the Twin Cities by the end of February 2022. Many will arrive with little to nothing in their possession.

Former governor Mark Dayton sits on Alight’s board of directors.

"I hope Minnesotans will be warm-hearted, welcoming, [and] inclusive," Dayton said.

Sonia Anunciacion, the project lead for the emergency response work with Alight, says a top need right now is for people to make a financial contribution, which can be done online.

"They have endured trauma and hardships and have been in transition for months," Anunciacion said. "Our goal is to create a safe and comfortable home for them to build a meaningful life – [a] home can make all the difference."

Pillows, bedding, food, couches and other items to furnish homes can also be donated. Alight can be reached here.

Sunday, Sen. Amy Klobuchar applauded Alight’s work and highlighted the possible benefits this could have for the state.

"We know from an economic standpoint, that these refugees, many of whom are highly educated, will be of great help no matter what their education level is for our state," Klobuchar said.

"I think Minnesotans should keep in mind that this is a combination of [a] good thing and right thing to do from a moral standpoint, but it’s also the right thing to do for our state right now from an economic standpoint," the senator added.

Also helping in this effort is the disaster response organization Team Rubicon.