Broadcasting from the top of the Carpenter's Union Hall in Butte, Montana. gm@butteamericaradio.org
Afghan Resettlement in Butte Gains Momentum
NOORJAHAN PARWANA OF BUTTE HEART ADDRESSES THE PUBLIC DURING A
COMMUNITY MEETING ON MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY
The effort to resettle displaced Afghans in Butte, Montana is gaining momentum. To date over 80 Afghan Parolees have been resettled in Montana through the International Rescue Committee and Federal Afghan Placement and Assistance services. Two groups in the mining city have formed and are working in tandem to secure the resources needed to help the Afghan nationals that fled their home country in the wake of the Taliban takeover in August.
The two groups, Butte HEART and Butte Catholic Community North, held a public meeting on Martin Luther King Jr. Day to inform the community of their progress and to make an appeal for more help.
Housing is the biggest hurdle faced by the two groups, one residence has been identified but at least one, and ideally two more apartments or homes for the families are essential. The Afghans that would be resettled here have faced truly horrific circumstances and the importance of having more than one family resettled in Butte to form a community here, even though small, is of great importance.
Montana’s housing shortage is not unique to those seeking refuge from elsewhere. Since 2010 the population of the state has grown 10% while usable housing has only increased by 7%. The COVID 19 pandemic has only exacerbated this problem as those fleeing cities with more expendable income have been able to quickly buy up Montana’s comparably cheaper surplus real estate.
Chelsea Smith and John Cardiolo are both volunteers at KBMF and present at the meeting, they were eager to help in any way they could and I asked them what was important to them about the project
As non profit aid organizations Butte HEART and the Butte Catholic Community North will help the families transition into their new community of Butte by securing housing, furniture and clothing, helping the families apply and receive public assistance and work to find employment or education. More information can be learned by visiting butteamericaradio.org/HEART or emailing butteheart@gmail.com
