Afghan Refugees Settling Into Permanent Homes In Tulsa With Help From Oklahomans

Catholic Charities set up 10 apartments in Tulsa on Monday in the largest single-day effort so far to accommodate Afghan refugees.

Another five apartments will be furnished by Wednesday when the families move in. They’re living in hotels now, after finishing several weeks of orientation. Catholic Charities coordinates the bulk of refugee arrivals in Oklahoma and is expecting 100 new Afghan arrivals in Tulsa just this week. 1,800 are settling in Oklahoma, after being evacuated from Afghanistan when American forces pulled out.

In Tulsa, Monday, dozens of volunteers worked in a warehouse to load donated furniture and other household items into trucks. They followed them to an apartment complex where 15 families, with about 50 people, will move this week. Since the refugees arrive with nothing, charities are providing everything. The goal, according to Kelly Cassidy, of Catholic Charities, is for the volunteers to have everything in place when the families move.

“They will have their house fully set up, and they’ll have food in their cabinets and refrigerator, so they can just be at home,” said Cassidy.

Todd Turner said his children, who were visiting over Christmas, wanted to help the effort “and help the Afghan refugees feel at home when they come to Tulsa.”

By the end of the week, Catholic Charities expects that 553 Afghans will have relocated to Tulsa. Crowley says the support has come from churches and charities, from businesses and individuals.

“When we put the call out, the floodgates opened, and everybody, from everywhere, has said we want to help,” said Cassidy.