With the help of dozens of volunteers, Newcomers Access Center (NAC) has set up temporary housing in Claremont, California, for Afghan refugees.  

Even before the Taliban took over Afghanistan in August 2021, Newcomers Access Center, was planning ahead looking for possible housing for potential refugees. We reached out to local faith communities and thankfully found support from both Claremont Friends (Quakers) and from the Claremont School of Theology. Finding temporary housing is one of the biggest hurdles in settling refugees, so we are thrilled that these two groups stepped up to partner with NAC.  

The next step was to prepare the housing by soliciting donations of furniture and basic household items. We put the word out to our supporters, the local community, and the press, and we were gratified by the response. After the Los Angeles Times listed Newcomers Access Center in an article about “How to Help Afghan Refugees,” people from all across the greater Los Angles/San Bernardino area signed up to help.

We had volunteers drive in from Santa Monica and Long Beach to scrub the kitchen and mop the floors of apartments at the School of Theology. The minister of a church from Diamond Bar purchased a dozen sleeping bags and delivered them. A Rancho Cucamonga resident came and lined the shelves in the kitchen with fresh shelf paper. A supporter with a pick-up truck made multiple deliveries of furniture. Volunteers came in on the weekend to make sure the kitchens had basic cooking utensils, the beds had sheets and blankets, and the bathrooms had towels and new shower curtains. 

We love and appreciate our supporters who graciously gift us their time and talent! Thank you to all of those who helped! All of your efforts added up and made the apartments ready for occupants. We will continue to need volunteers who can help with transportation, tutoring, school enrollment, logistics, administrative work, outreach, fundraising, social services support and myriad other tasks. If you would like to join our group of volunteers, please sign up on our Volunteer Page.  

The biggest need we have now is financial contributions. NAC operates on a shoestring budget funded by our supporters. Although we use many donated items, some things we have to purchase new, such as car seats, mattresses, and pillows, groceries, diapers, and other basic needs. The best way you can help our refugee families is to make a donation to NAC by sending in a check or paying online. You can make a donation by sending a check to: Newcomers Access Center 1401 North College Avenue Building F, Claremont CA 91711. You can also make an online donation. Donations may be tax deductible.

Thank you for your compassion and support. To learn more about how we help refugees and keep up with the latest news, please follow us on Facebook