Worcester Prepares To Welcome 300 Afghan Refugees

WORCESTER, MA — The city of Worcester is preparing to welcome 300 to 350 Afghan refugees, Mayor Joseph M. Petty said. The refugees, who are fleeing after the Taliban takeover, will be designated as “parolees” rather than “refugees”, which Petty said will mean quicker entry into the country, but fewer benefits than designated refugees would receive.

Petty said he is unsure of an exact timeline for the Afghans’ arrival, but local organizations involved in the effort say it could be soon.

Petty said that the city is working with community partners and private businesses to provide the refugees with resources in housing, education, health care, and mental health services. He estimates the cost of welcoming the refugees will be roughly half a million dollars.

United Way of Central Massachusetts has already donated $100,000 to the endeavor, with funds it received from billionaire Mackenzie Scott last year. Petty met earlier this week with a number of local organizations like the United Way, Ascentria Care Alliance, the Welcoming Alliance for Refugee Ministry (WARM), the Greater Worcester Community Foundation, Quinsigamond Community College, and Worcester State University.

Tim Garvin, president of the United Way, told the Worcester Telegram & Gazette that he expects the money to be put to work by the middle of next week. WARM Executive Director Jennifer Frye said her organization is working to find creative housing solutions for the refugees, and asking for community donations.

“Sometimes, we think that displaced people are someone else’s responsibility, but I want to see the community embrace the people coming,” Frye told the Telegram & Gazette.