When the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan became a chaotic international event in August 2021, a small Southern California non-profit, Affordable Community Living (ACL) stepped up to address a pressing need: low-cost housing for Afghan families who had worked with U.S. forces.

Many of these families fled with only minimal belongings. Since September 2021, ACL has been helping them secure basic necessities and transition to their new lives in the United States by providing furnished homes, essential supplies, job training, language lessons, and other support as needs are identified. As of May 2024, 30 families have been resettled, and more are expected.

Your donations, both financial and in the form of household goods and furniture, would be a huge help to ACL’s mission of resettling these families. Lists of current community needs and information for directing donations and contact information are provided below on this page.

Learn more about ACL’s work and the progress of the Mojave community:
Mojave Community Afghan Veteran Reclaims Independence with Mobility Chair Donation/Afghan Community Update—April 2024

“Many of these people have put their lives on the line for the U.S. effort in Afghanistan, and no one should be left behind.”

LARGE RUGS

Families traditionally sit on the floors to eat on some kind of carpeting, so there is a need for large rugs to cover the uncomfortable bare floors in their new homes. Rugs of about 9′ x 9′ or 9′ x 12′ are suggested sizes.

TOOLS

• Basic tools (screwdrivers, pliers, etc.)
• Power Tools
• Drills
• Carpentry Tools
• Plumbing Tools
• Electrical Tools

SEWING MACHINES

Sewing is an important activity for the community women to provide for their families. Five sewing machines have been donated to the community so far. We are hoping to be able to provide a total of 10 machines.

Fabric donations and sewing supplies are also needed.

AUTOMOBILES

• Station Wagons
• Mini Vans

Donations of vehicles are tax deductible.

TELEVISIONS AND DVD PLAYERS

Watching programs on television will help the community members learn the English language. DVD players are also needed — they do not have access to cable or internet in their homes and on-air broadcast channels are difficult to reach in the locations where there parks are located.