How Companies in the U.S. Can Mentor Afghan Refugees

Following the fall of Kabul in August 2021, the U.S. has helped approximately 90,000 Afghans to resettle in the U.S. Many of these Afghans have extensive professional and educational backgrounds but face steep employment barriers, such as a lack of professional networks and understanding of the U.S. job market. These barriers can prevent Afghans from securing work that is commensurate with their background and expertise.

Mentorship can be incredibly beneficial for Afghan refugees who are looking to find work and advance their careers – particularly for mid- to high-skilled Afghans who have struggled to find jobs that match their skill sets. It is why Tent has joined with the Afghan-American Foundation and Hiring Our Heroes to launch the Afghan Refugee Mentorship Program – an initiative through which companies in the U.S. will commit to provide mentorship to thousands of Afghan refugees in the years ahead.

This resource provides companies in the U.S. with critical information about how to partner with Tent to establish and implement an effective mentorship program for Afghan refugees. It includes:

• A general overview of Afghan refugees in the U.S., including who they are, as well as the challenges they face when trying to find, secure, and maintain work
• Information for companies about how to implement a scalable mentorship program in partnership with Tent
• Information for mentors about how to advocate, coordinate, manage, and build a productive relationship with their mentee

This guide is a collaboration between the Tent Partnership for Refugees and Lutheran Immigration & Refugee Service (LIRS).