In January, a shared warehouse space became operational as a part of the state-wide Afghan evacuee response. The warehouse was operational from January through April- during the highest period of Afghan arrivals. Partners included the Salvation Army, FEMA, the Colorado Refugee State Program, Team Rubicon, Americorps NCCC,  Just Serve, Habitat for Humanity, the International Rescue Committee, Lutheran Family Services, and the African Community Center. 

In February, the last Afghan family left a safe haven military base and traveled to their final location on their resettlement journey. Operation Allies Welcome (OAW) was a United States military operation that airlifted certain at-risk Afghans in the days after the fall of Kabul to the Taliban. Over 70,000 Afghans were evacuated and brought to safe havens across the U.S. via OAW.

In March, for the first time ever, ACC participated in the annual convening of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ Working Group on Resettlement in Denver. The gathering included representatives from the U.S. and nine other countries. ACC partnered with organizations in order to demonstrate best practices and innovations in refugee reception and integration. 

In April, we celebrated Refugee Advocacy Day at the Capitol! Eight ACC staff, four ACC interns and three Afghan clients attended an event being hosted by the International Rescue Committee. Participants were given a tour of the capitol building and met in small groups of local legislators to share upcoming opportunities to support refugee communities. 

In May, we had an amazing time at our first in-person staff retreat since the pandemic. After years of working from home and unprecedented global events, our staff appreciated spending time together outside hiking, playing volleyball and dancing to global music in Golden. 

In June, we celebrated World Refugee Day. ACC, in collaboration with the other resettlement agencies and the state refugee office, hosted a World Refugee Day featuring the newest cohort from the Colorado Refugee Speakers Bureau. 

Also in June, ACC opened its first cases for Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees. From June through December 2022, ACC has opened cases for over 200 Ukrainian individuals. 

In July, ACC began a partnership with the U.S. Committee for Refugees & Immigrants (USCRI)- to provide legal services to Afghans.

In August, ACC’s We Made This Program re-launched in-person classes for the first time since the pandemic. The We Made This Program is a sewing instruction, psychosocial, and therapeutic arts program for primarily refugee women to assist them in their integration to the U.S.

In September, ACC’s Match Grant Program hosted an Employer Appreciation Event to recognize local employers who partner with ACC and hire refugee community members. V forge, Inc. and Gate Gourmet were both presented awards. 

In October, ACC began a new federal fiscal year. For FY2023, the Biden administration authorized the admission of up to 125,000 refugees through the federal Reception & Placement Program. This does not include the Ukrainian, Cuban, and other humanitarian parolees. ACC anticipates serving up to 550 individuals in FY2023 through the R&P Program. 

In November, ACC hosted its 17th annual Refugee First Thanksgiving. The event sold-out and welcomed over 700 attendees to enjoy multicultural foods and music.

In December, ACC signed the lease on a studio apartment, thanks to a new partnership with Mile High United Way. Newly arrived refugee community members now have access to a transitional apartment, allowing ACC staff more time to secure permanent housing. 

Also in December, ACC hired our first-ever Immigration Attorney! 

Written by Julia Leone, Communications Intern & Maria Farrier, Development Manager (maria@acc-den.org)