WhySt. LouisShould BeYour New Beginning

In the journey of life after displacement, many Afghan families across America are searching for a place where they can not only feel safe, but truly belong. In St. Louis, Missouri, that place exists. It’s a city where Afghan identity is celebrated, community is strong, and opportunities are real. Here, Afghans are not just finding shelter, they’re building thriving futures.

At the heart of this movement is the Afghan Support Program, a transformative initiative of the International Institute of St. Louis, created to support all Afghans, regardless of when they arrived in the U.S. We relocate Afghans with dignity, with resources, and with purpose.

The Afghan Support Program offers a powerful welcome: free rent and utilities for relocated Afghan families, grocery support, legal guidance, school enrollment, and Medicaid/SNAP assistance. Beyond the basics, it’s a launchpad for dreams. Through tailored job placement support, Afghans are entering the workforce with confidence, and vision.

For those with entrepreneurial hearts, the program offers something rare and bold: the Afghan Entrepreneurship Grant. So far, it has supported 11 Afghan entrepreneurs in launching successful businesses in St. Louis. These include auto mechanic shops, video production companies clothing shops, and service-based companies, each contributing to the local economy and representing a story of Afghan resilience. clothing shops, and service-based companies, each contributing to the local economy and representing a story of Afghan resilience.

But a strong community is not just about economics, it’s also about culture, identity, and connection. In St. Louis, Afghan women participate in sewing and vocational classes while youth grow through Pashto and Dari language programs, Quran classes, and soccer programs. Adults gain independence through driving lessons, and families find spiritual fulfillment at Masjid Abu Bakr Sediq, now owned and led by the Afghan community itself, a symbol of unity and progress.

The Afghan Support Program also helped establish the Afghan Community Center, a hub of connection and support, and the U S -Afghan Chamber of Commerce, a growing network committed to empowering Afghan-owned businesses across the region.

In this city, the Afghan story is not lost. It is honored, uplifted, and carried forward. Through the Afghan Journal, a trilingual monthly publication in English, Pashto, and Dari, the voices of the Afghan community are heard. It is our record, our reflection, and our shared vision.

If you’re looking for more than just a place to live, if you’re searching for hope, opportunity, and belonging, come to St Louis Your future is here, and you won’t walk it alone

Contact us today at: hamdardh@iistl org or (314)-655-0917

For many Afghan families in St. Louis, April 13, 2025, was a day they’ll never forget, not because of who won or lost, but because of what it meant to be there.

In a special community outing organized by the Afghan Support Program, 50 Afghan men, women, and children, many experiencing American sports culture for the first time, attended a thrilling Major Soccer match between St. Louis City Columbus Crew at Energizer Park.

The match itself was packed with ac Louis struck early in the 7th minute goal from João Klaus, igniting excite the stands. But in a dramatic turn jus halftime, Columbus Crew scored b back goals in the 45th minute, cou Steven Moreira and Diego Rossi, clos game at 2-1.

But the highlight of the night wasn’t the scoreline, it was the spark it lit in the eyes of Afghan children. Ten lucky kids from the community had the rare chance to take part in a bench-warming experience, stepping onto the field’s edge and watching their dream players up close. For many, it was like walking into a dream, seeing soccer stars they’d only known from screens now just feet away.

It was a night of smiles, shared memories, and new beginnings. Parents watched their children stand tall with pride, and elders embraced the joy of a community growing stronger together.

“These shared experiences, outside of daily routines, help us connect, share laughter, and build trust. They show our youth they are part of this city, and they give our elders a chance to feel joy and unity. Community is not built in offices alone, it’s also built moments like this.” Hamdullah Hamdard, Director, Afghan Support Program