Photo: Belinda Fewings | Unsplash
Welcome to Stone Ridge, New York, where a group of modern-day good Samaritans have adopted two families of Afghan refugees who arrived in this country, like so many immigrants before them, with little more than hope. This stands out at a time when support for immigration is waning – Gallup recently found that 55% of Americans want to restrict immigration compared with 33% in 1965. Two families are thriving thanks to the Afghan Circle of the Hudson Valley; the informal group of volunteers that have deeply embodied the good Samarian includes a clinical social worker, a former state department official, an educational consultant and a professor, who speaks fluent Dari, one of Afghanistan’s most common languages. The Faqirzada family, who are in the United States legally, arrived here with just some clothing and family photos. The circle provided many services and companionship. “They were always here with my family,” said Saida Faqirzada. “If it was a good thing, if it was a bad thing, if it was my sister’s birthday, if it was like a celebration or anything, the next day, they were just knocking the door.” Volunteer Susan Griss said, “Never underestimate what neighbors can do for neighbors.”
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