Welcoming New Neighbors from Afghanistan
Updated December 20, 2021
Through a partnership with Church World Service (CWS), Massanetta Springs is honored to be welcoming some new neighbors to the Shenandoah Valley. We will be providing temporary housing, food, and the opportunity to enjoy our beautiful campus to refugees from Afghanistan in the coming months. We have been helping to provide temporary housing to refugees from all around the world since 2016, and we couldn’t be more pleased to help CWS in this important effort.
As word has gotten out through articles in the newspaper, and a recent story on the WHSV news, people have been curious about what refugees need, and how they can help. So we’ve put together this article in hopes of answering as many questions as we can.
How many refugees is Massanetta Springs helping?
At the moment, we’re uncertain of the total number, but to begin with, we will be welcoming approximately 58 Afghans who were evacuated at the end of America’s military presence in that country. As refugees are placed in our region, CWS plans to assure the cases of more refugees with an expectation that they will help approximately 100-200 Afghans call the Shenandoah Valley home.
Do you need any help?
Yes, both Massanetta Springs and CWS could use some help. Massanetta’s most pressing need is to have folks to volunteer to serve meals when the Afghan refugees arrive. You can find out what slots are available by going to our Sign Up Genius Form.
What are Massanetta’s Requirements to volunteer?
Volunteers will be serving as wait staff and cleaning staff. You must be able to be on your feet for long stretches of time, be able to lift and carry approximately 20 pounds, be comfortable with serving food, busing dishes, cleaning tables, sweeping, mopping, and working in the dish room. Volunteers must be 16 years or older. Voulunteers must provide proof of vaccination and undergo a background check. (Massanetta will send you the link for the background check and pay the associated cost.)
Hours for volunteer shifts are:
Breakfast - 7:30-10:30 AM
Lunch - 12:00-3:00 PM
Dinner - 4:30-7:00 PM
Who do I contact if I have questions?
If you have any additional questions, please contact Anna Scott Myers at hospitality.intern@massanettasprings.org or by calling 540-434-3829 ex. 7.
Are there COVID Requirements for Volunteers?
Yes, all volunteers must provide proof of vaccination in the form of their original vaccination card to Massanetta Staff upon arrival.
Volunteers will wear masks at all times while indoors during their volunteer shifts. If Massanetta’s requirement on face masks changes, you’ll be notified upon your arrival for your volunteer shift.
Are there Vaccination and COVID Requirements for the Refugees?
Yes, as part of their relocation requirements, all refugees will have recieved a vaccine regiment including at least the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, the MMR vaccine, as well as passing a tuberculosis screening.
All of Massanetta’s guests are required to wear masks in the dining hall unless they are seated at their table and actively eating.
Is financial assistance needed?
Yes, you can donate to help resettle refugees in the Shenandoah Valley in two ways. If you prefer, you can donate directly to our partners, Church World Service. Church World Service is taking financial donations directly at the following link.
Most of the expenses Massanetta Springs is covering through this partnership revolve around feeding the refugees meals, providing meeting/gathering space and performing background checks on volunteers who work directly with the refugees. As of November, 23, 2021, Massanetta Springs believes we have raised sufficient funds to cover the most immediate portions of Massanetta’s work with Afghan Refugees. However, if you or your congregation feels called to give toward our work with CWS, this partnership is ongoing. Since 2016, through this partnership, we have welcomed new neighbors from all across the globe in addition to our immediate work with Afghans.
We have set up a restricted account that will help support our efforts now and in the future. If you would like to donate directly to that fund you may download an informational flyer and financial request form, or donate directly through our website and put “refugee resettlement” in the Additional Comments box in the online form. 100% of donations to this account will be used in our partnership with Church World Service to resettle refugees with first priority given to the needs of the Afghan refugees coming this fall/winter. The informational flyer has more details about what funds will be used for.
You may also support Massanetta’s larger mission through your financial generosity by mailing a check to 712 Massanetta Springs Road, Rockingham, VA 22801 or by donating on our website.
Our whole Family would like to come, but there are only two slots to sign up for each meal. Can we all come?
Under the following conditions, yes.
We can handle up to four people per shift if more than two would like to come.
Everyone must be over 16 and provide proof of vaccination.
Everyone over the age of 18 must have a background check.
If you would like to bring more than 2 people to a shift, please contact Dale Dobroth to let him know at Dale.Dobroth@gmail.com
What other help is needed?
It is likely that other forms of volunteer assistance will eventually be needed. The CWS office also runs training for those who would like to volunteer with their efforts. We will update this blog post and the Sign Up Genius Form as needs become more clear.
CWS is also accepting certain items in addition to financial donations. To find out what they need and when and where you can drop off those items, download CWS’s flyer here.