Empowering Afghan Communities
Giving Space for Support
For over two decades, License to Freedom has provided crisis intervention, employment assistance, and domestic violence services to the community. We continue to build upon this legacy by providing classes for community members in topics covering parenting, education and prevention, ESL and acculturation, and entrepreneurship.
We have been providing legal advocacy and mental health services for our community, as well as COVID-19 emergency services and rental assistance. We work closely with Child Welfare Services and S.D Courts to provide parenting courses and to bridge cultural gaps that exist between the community and Western systems.
It is imperative to support our Afghan community more than ever. Please consider donating to help support our community.
Please continue reading for a full list of our services specialized for the Afghan community.
Programs
Due to the ongoing surge of Afghan refugees resettling in the United States, License to Freedom is offering programs to help with the relocation process.
In collaboration with the San Diego Refugee Communities Coalition, License to Freedom is honored to be selected to continue expanding our resources to meet the needs of our Afghan Clients.
Voice & Choice—Early Childhood Initiative
We believe that all mothers should have a voice and choice in their motherhood experience, which is why License to Freedom is offering support for mothers that are pregnant, new, or have children under the age of 5 with specialized case management services. These services are aimed at supporting mothers with young children understand Western medical systems—including the birthing process, hospitalization and potential options, parenting classes, hygiene, navigating grocery stores in search of baby items, and childcare options. This initiative will also be able to supply emergency needs, such as food, diapers, clothing, hygiene products.
Chai & Chat—Family Engagement
License to Freedom aims to bridge cultural gaps between Western norms and those of our Afghan clients by providing family engagement services that address these differences. Through this program, we offer parenting classes, provide access to school resources, translation services for school meetings, advocacy, English classes for parents, and youth mentoring services. Our classes are provided at our local office, providing opportunities to also meet with other Afghan families, providing built in support networks.
Hamardee—Mental Health & Well-Being Services
Refugee and immigrant children often experience lots of new emotions as they navigate new cultures, education systems, friendships, and their roles in the family. License to Freedom is a strong supporter of the benefits of mental health services, and with this program, we are focusing on the mental health and well-being of our Afghan school-aged children. Well-being in a family is only possible if all members of the family have access to the resources and social and emotional well-being that will support their growth and engagement. Hamardee is that resource for you, and your family.
For ease and comfort, in-home mental health services are provided for Afghan families with Farsi, Dari, and Pashto speaking therapists. Our therapists are trained in the trauma-informed approach and are culturally competent.
In partnership with El Cajon Valley High School, our therapists at License to Freedom are offering no-cost counseling to refugee youth and newly-arrived Afghan youth in grades 9-12. If you or your child is interested, please contact counseling services at El Cajon Valley High School.
Father2Child East — Fatherhood Program
The Father2Child East Program provides educational resources and support to fathers to be a positive influence and role model in the lives of their child (ren) and better men to their families in the East County Region. This 8-week program meets is led by fathers for fathers and is offered in Farsi and English.
In partnership with Mental Health America and the Health and Human Services Department of the County of San Diego,
Meet Our Afghan Team
Sosan Mohammad Jan
Domestic Violence Advocate
My name is Benafsha Mohammad and I am from Afghanistan. I graduated from Grossmont College with two Associates Degrees in Business Administration and Economics. I am currently a student at San Diego State University with my major being Business Administration-Management. As someone who comes from the same war-torn nation of Afghanistan, I feel it is my duty to help my Afghan community in any way I can. My community is vulnerable to many problems, one of them being domestic violence. As a domestic violence advocate, I am committed to helping my people through my work at License to Freedom. I closely work with clients to legally assist them with their cases of domestic violence. I hope my work at License to Freedom will only strengthen and benefit my Afghan community.
Zamzama Said
Rental Assistance Associate & Business Coach
Hello, my name is Zamzama Said Sakandar I am from Tashkent Uzbekistan. I completed my 2-year college journey in Grossmont College in 2020. I then transferred to SDSU majoring in Public Administration. Afghanistan is my motherland, both my parents were born and raised in Kabul. Being raised in an authentic Afghan household in America has taught me the wonderful culture and amazing traditions. Having the opportunity to help my fellow Afghans with any situation they are facing is my absolute pleasure. With my position as a Rental Assistance at License to Freedom, I am committed to help any Afghans with their 3 months of prospective rent. My commitment to License to Freedom, is to serve my assistance to anyone who is in need of any help..
Wahida Hamdard
Afghan Youth Program Coach & D.V. Advocate
Hello, my name is Wahida Hamdard and I am from Paktika, Afghanistan. At the age of seven, my family immigrated from Afghanistan to India, where I lived as a refugee for 6 years. In India, my family encountered countless obstacles with language barriers, culture unfamiliarity, financial difficulties, but our only hope was UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. During my time in India, I decided that one day I will be working in an environment where I can assist refugees, immigrants, and advocate for women rights.
In September 2016, my family immigrated to the USA and resettled in San Diego. I am currently attending San Diego State University studying International Security and Conflict Resolution and emphasizing on Global Justice.
I work as a Afghan Youth Program Coach and Domestic Violence Advocate at License to Freedom. I am fortunate to guide young Afghan girls in their new journeys here in the United States by providing academic assistance, personal guidance, and always being there for them as a friend. I love my job as I always wanted to work with Young Afghan girls and empower them to excel academically, achieve financial independence, learn about their rights, and advocate for women rights.
I am happy to begin working as a Domestic Violence Advocate and assist my fellow community members in the complex legal system and help them discover a safe and violence-free home.
Sayed Bahman Sultani
Community Case Manager
My name is Sayed Bahman Sultani and I am from Afghanistan. I was born in Kabul, Afghanistan and raised in Quetta, Pakistan.
Because of the war in our country, my family decided to move to Pakistan. I completed my school in Pakistan and worked at an Afghan refuge primary school as an English teacher.
In 2013 we moved back to Afghanistan where I continued my university and I got my degree in Bachelor in Business Administration (BBA) from Dunay University.
I am happy for my opportunity to work at License to Freedom. Everyone is helpful and friendly. I am glad that we are a family and we always take care of each other and support each other.
Also, I am glad that I have have the opportunity to help people and that is what I am looking for.
I am a calm, friendly and positive person. I love to travel, meet new people and see new cultures. My goal is to support my family, friends and help people.