Vermont Afghan Alliance

Vermont Afghan Alliance was founded in 2023 to assist and support Afghans resettling in Vermont. VAA is open to serving the Afghan community in Vermont, which is approximately 300 people. Because their offices are in Burlington, VT, the bulk of their service is roughly 150 Afghans living in the Greater Burlington Area. Currently, there is more need than there is support, particularly access to housing. VAA services include assistance with driving lessons, interpretation and translation as well as employment. As a new non-profit VAA is working to communicate what we do/do not provide and to be very clear and thoughtful in our communication. The biggest barrier they face is funding. VAA is a grant funded organization which comes with limitations to providing services and support outside the programs. VAA is helping to make a positive difference, even in small ways (a driver’s license, assistance with communication, access to a good job, a safe and welcoming office) for the Afghan community in Vermont. They are proud to have helped dozens of Afghans, including Afghan women, secure driver’s licenses, many of whom are first-time drivers! As VAA gets set up, they will be collaborating more and more with HYH to add another level of support for their clients.