Soraya arrived in New York from Afghanistan almost two years ago. Having spent over 50 years in Afghanistan, when she left her homeland, she left her extended family, friends and community behind in Afghanistan. In a brand-new country, she had immediate family, but they were busy in their own lives. Soraya was isolated. The friends she used to sip tea with were a continent away.
WAW’s Seniors Program
That changed when Soraya hesitantly stepped into Women for Afghan Women’s New York Community Center (NYCC) and discovered the Seniors Program. Now, every week that Soraya attends the program, she knows she’ll be greeted by familiar smiles that feel like family.
At the NYCC, Soraya was able to try activities she was never able to do in Afghanistan. At the Seniors Program she attended yoga and Zumba sessions and painting workshops. But above all, her best experience was having other elderly Afghan women to talk to.
“I like this program because it gives me a chance to learn, hang out with my friends, and become closer to them every time we meet,” she says.
Bridging the Gap
For many Afghan seniors, resettlement comes with unique challenges such as language barriers, limited mobility, and the daunting task of rebuilding a sense of community from scratch. WAW’s Seniors Program helps bridge that gap by offering regular gatherings that reduce isolation and its associated health risks, promoting wellness through movement classes, mindful breathing, and nutritious meals, and restoring a sense of purpose through creative outlets and volunteer opportunities that empower seniors to give back.
WAW Education Services
Our education programs are designed to empower each participant to build confidence, gain critical skills, and take meaningful steps toward independence and opportunity. Our programs include:
- Adult Education
- Youth Education
- Seniors Program
- Women’s Circle
