Families we’ve helped
Sophia, Abdullah, and Arsh
Sophia, Abdullah, and their daughter Arsh were the first family welcomed by SLO for HOME. Abdullah’s work as an armed translator for the United States military put his family in grave danger when the Taliban took over, so they made the difficult decision to flee with their daughter Arsh. For several months, they didn’t know where they’d end up.
Today, they are financially independent but remain forever connected with those who helped them at SLO for HOME. Sophia owns KOR Kitchen SLO, pursuing her dream of bringing delicious Afghan food to the Central Coast. Abdullah works multiple jobs to support his family and is grateful to have welcomed more family members to California. Arsh has blossomed into a bright elementary school student. Despite their busy lives, Sophia and Abdullah continue to share their stories publicly and advocate for the needs of refugees.
Negina, Ibrahim, and Asifa
Negina and her parents Ibrahim and Asifa, were the second family supported by SLO for HOME allowing them to be reunited with Sophia (Negina’s sister) and her husband, Abdullah, and daughter Arsh. When Sophia alerted SLO for HOME that Negina and her parents were stuck in resettlement limbo, they worked with Church World Service to request their resettlement be transferred here.
Negina was a young college student in Afghanistan, studying political science with the support of her family. Facing societal pressure and threats, she continued in school. She was close to getting her degree when the Taliban took over Afghanistan and stopped allowing women to pursue advanced education. Asifa and Ibrahim made the difficult decision to leave Afghanistan with Negina despite Ibrahim’s health issues, which could make the journey precarious.
Today, Negina has a successful career in banking, where her excellent customer service skills and attention to detail have helped her advance professionally. Ibrahim has received much-needed medical care and can watch both of his daughters safely settle in a country where they can pursue their dreams. Asifa, a retired educator, spends her days caring for her husband and granddaughter Arsh.
Ziad, Sanaa, Rawan, and Nour
Ziad, Sanaa, and their daughters, Rawan, and Nour were the second Syrian family resettled by SLO for HOME. As members of Syria’s small Christian community, they were at risk of harm because of their political and religious beliefs. They had been seeking safety for over a decade when they were connected with SLO for HOME.
Choosing to move to a new country meant Ziad and Sanaa had to leave their cherished careers in the dental and medical fields. Their goal has always been to see their daughters in a country where they could study and work without fearing for their lives daily. Rawan, a young pharmacist, and Nour, a college student, faced great safety risks by attending school in Syria where bombings and other attacks were a regular occurrence. Leaving their homeland meant opportunity but many goodbyes, including to Nour’s beloved emotional support dog Tuti.
With the support of SLO for HOME and their determination, Ziad, Sanaa, Rawan, and Nour are all independent and building wonderful new lives here on the Central Coast. Ziad, a former dentist, retrained as a dental assistant and enjoys working with patients again. Sanaa, who was a research physician, now enjoys a more relaxed life working at a school. Rawan couldn’t continue her work as a pharmacist in the United States but has put many hours in as a pharmacy technician and hopes to one day become a pharmacist again. After several agonizing months apart and an international rescue effort, Nour was reunited with her dog Tuti. When Nour is not at school or working to help her family, she enjoys her time with Tuti. SLO for HOME has also welcomed multiple members of their extended family, helping to bring all three sisters, Sanaa, Shefaa, and Bedaa, and their families, to the Central Coast.
Oleksandr and Viktoriia
Oleksandr and Viktoriia fled Ukraine with their daughter Anna when the Russian invasion threatened their lives. With no family or close connections in the United States, they matched with SLO for HOME through the Uniting for Ukraine program.
Oleksandr previously worked as a successful manager at a gas company and Viktoriia loved her career as a teacher. With limited English skills, life in the United States was challenging for them but they persevered. With the help of volunteers, Oleksandr turned his love of cooking into a job as a cook at an assisted living facility. Viktoriia found work as a teaching assistant. Both spent much of their free time diligently studying English and supporting Anna in adjusting.
Today, that dedication has paid off. Oleksandr was promoted at work and Viktoriia has a new career as a dental assistant. Oleksandr hopes to transition into an IT career to support his family better. Viktoriia and Oleksandr are now fluent in English and Anna loves school and has many friends. They enjoy life in San Luis Obispo and maintain a close relationship with the volunteers who supported them during their early days on the Central Coast.
Zahra
Zahra was a dedicated educator and supporter of girl’s education in Afghanistan when the Taliban took over. To save her life, she fled by herself on one of the last evacuation flights out of Afghanistan. Temporarily placed in Belgium, Zahra was eventually connected with SLO for HOME by Church World Service.
Zahra’s experience has been unique among SLO for HOME clients because she’s had to resettle without family around her. However, her passion for helping others and determination to succeed against almost insurmountable odds has won her many friends.
After navigating many challenges, Zahra started a new career as a dental assistant and became fully independent of SLO for HOME in January 2025. Zahra is committed to finishing her master’s degree someday and finding ways to help other vulnerable people access education and support to build happy, successful lives.
Arsen, Olena, Arsen’s mother Olha, and their son Aaron
Arsen, Olena, their son Aaron, and Arsen’s mother Olha are another Ukrainian family who made the difficult decision to flee their homes to escape the threat of Russian forces. Initially, Olena and Aaron sought safety alone in Poland, with Arsen later joining them there. Eventually, they received permission to travel to the Central Coast after being matched with SLO for HOME under the Uniting for Ukraine program.
When they arrived, Arsen and Olena were determined to build a successful life in the United States. Olena secured employment managing a software solution for medical offices and Arsen hopes to return to his past career in sales. Both have worked diligently to improve their English and Arsen regularly shares their story with local organizations to highlight the need for supporting refugees fleeing from war.
Olha is working to improve her English and helps care for Aaron who has flourished in kindergarten. Aaron is an active young boy who keeps his parents on their toes and is quickly mastering English.
If you have an employment opportunity for Arsen please email [email protected].
Anna, Vadym, and their daughter Krystyna
Anna, Vadym, and their daughter Krystyna lived near intense fighting in Ukraine. Seeing no hope for Krystyna to have a safe life or attend school, the young family left their home and arrived in San Luis Obispo, hopeful for a fresh start.
Anna had a successful banking career in Ukraine and now cleans houses while working to return to her former profession. Vadym is a handyman by trade and recently started his own business, earning stellar reviews for his repair jobs. Krystyna was warmly welcomed by her local school, helping her blossom and grow into a carefree young girl whose biggest concern is learning her ABCs.
Qais, Najia, and their children Ali Reza, Ali Akbar, and Maria
Qais, Najia, and their children Ali Reza, Ali Akbar, and Maria, are the most recent family to be settled with the support of SLO for HOME. They made an extended journey from Afghanistan to China, before arriving in their new home, San Luis Obispo. Qais and his family waited a decade to find a safe home to resettle in after enduring years of threats in Afghanistan.
Qais spent many years as a manager in a manufacturing plant but his true passion is to work in IT. He’s currently renewing his A+ certification and pursuing a career that will put his family on the pathway to long-term success and independence. With his excellent English skills, Qais is great at navigating life in the United States.
Najia is a busy mother of three active children, is learning English, and looks forward to exploring all the opportunities for her on the Central Coast. All three children started school and are receiving wonderful support from local educators and volunteers to help them adjust.
If you have an employment opportunity for Qais, please email [email protected].
Bedaa and Serri
Bedaa and her adult son Serri arrived six months after her sister, Shefaa and her family had arrived on the Central Coast (April 4, 2023), and about the same time as her sister Sanaa and her family. Bedaa taught high school English in Syria and Serri was a hairdresser. After applying for asylum in the United States, they had to wait six years before being approved, which also meant leaving behind their family, specifically, Bedaa’s three daughters.
While waiting for housing, Bedaa and Serri lived with her brother, Wassim’, and his family in Santa Maria. SLO for HOME volunteers helped them gather the required documentation, find community resources, and start the driver’s license process. Bedaa took computer skills training and driver’s lessons, which were subsidized by SLO for HOME. SLO for HOME procured a used car for Serri to get to and from his job as a warehouse clerk. When an apartment was found in Santa Maria, SLO for HOME volunteers helped find comfortable furnishings to make it ‘home’ for Bedaa and Serri.
Bedaa was hired as a playground supervisor by the Santa Maria School District, supported by SLO for HOME volunteers. She enjoys her work, especially time with colleagues and the children. In addition to that job, she’s taken on administrative tasks in the office. She is currently registered at Allen Hancock College for English classes so she can (in her own words), “Speak English without an accent!”
Bedaa and Serri became financially independent about a year after arriving in Santa Maria and were granted green cards. Bedaa purchased her own car in 2024 and appreciates having close contact with her entire California Syrian family.
Marwan, Shefaa, and their sons Nour, and Ibrahim
This family was the first Syrian family resettled by SLO for HOME, followed about 6 months later by Shefaa’s two sisters, Sanaa and Bedaa, and their families, all living on the Central Coast.
Marwan, Shefaa, and their sons Ibrahim and Nour arrived in November 2022 after 14 years of bouncing back and forth from Syria to Lebanon while waiting for clearance from the U.S. State Department. They are Syrian Orthodox Christians and left Syria because of the life-threatening living conditions imposed on them by the lengthy Syrian Civil War. They left behind a daughter, siblings, parents, and many possessions, arriving with only a couple of suitcases. Marwan was a mechanical engineer who worked for a Syrian oil company and Shefaa worked as a grade school math teacher.
Shefaa’s brother Wassim, who legally immigrated to the United States many years ago, had been diligently trying to assist his family to reach safety here on the Central Coast. SLO for HOME gladly partnered with Wassim to ensure his siblings and their families could resettle in an area where robust family support was waiting.
Once they arrived, SLO for Home volunteers worked with them to secure the proper documentation, medical records, housing, and more. They lived in a furnished rental, received new computers, and a car was donated to Marwan. Each family member studied for and passed the California driver’s license test, a major milestone, especially for Shefaa who had never driven before.
Wassim hired Marwan, Ibrahaim, and Nour to work in his businesses. Marwan and Shefaa took night classes in English at Allen Hancock College. Shefaa was employed in local school districts as a cook and playground supervisor after passing several tests and screenings.
The family ‘graduated’ from SLO for HOME’s official support in early 2024 and is financially independent. Shefaa and her two sons purchased their own cars in 2023-24. They find great comfort in knowing they have extended family living in SLO and Santa Maria.
Today, Marwan is studying for a bus driver’s license through the Laguna Mar School District and working a retail job. Shefaa is studying for a test that will give her a promotion within the school district operations staff while working full-time. Both sons intend to finish their college studies, which were interrupted by the Syrian Civil War and their subsequent move to the United States.
The entire family applied for green cards and plans to become naturalized U.S. citizens within the next few years. Shefaa’s two sisters, Bedaa and Sanaa, and her brothers, Wassim and Michael, and their families now gather together regularly to celebrate their good fortunes, keeping their Syrian customs and culture alive in California.