Bay Area Resource for Newcomers - BRFN

The past year has been profoundly challenging for immigrants across the country. Families have been separated, faced violence, lost critical legal protections, and been cut off from essential resources.

For more than 15 years, BRFN has been a trusted hub for refugees, asylees, asylum seekers, and immigrants across the San Francisco Bay Area. Our work is deeply rooted in the communities we serve—more than 85% of our staff are former refugees, primarily from our Afghan and Eritrean client majorities. Collectively, we speak Dari, Pashto, Farsi, Arabic, Urdu, Hindi, Tigrinya, and Amharic, ensuring that our support is not only accessible, but culturally grounded and responsive.

As policies shift and challenges grow, our programs evolve to meet urgent needs—helping immigrant families stay safe, informed, and connected.

In the past year alone, BRFN supported more than 1,000 newcomers across the Bay Area through:

• Referrals to trusted legal service providers to help individuals maintain legal status and avoid deportation amid increasingly restrictive federal policies

• BRFN and partner agency Know Your Rights presentations in Dari, Pashto, and Tigrinya — languages often underrepresented in the Bay Area — covering how to respond to ICE encounters, emergency hotlines, and legal resources.

• Multilingual case management and workshops to help families understand systems and navigate healthcare, public benefits, housing, education, employment, and immigration systems

• On-site school support for refugee students and families in the East Bay—promoting student success, parent engagement, and a sense of belonging

• Distribution of food and essential household supplies, especially during disruptions like the 2025 government shutdown that left many without food stamps

• Emotional support and mental health referrals, as well as community-building gatherings and celebrations, for newcomers facing crisis and uncertainty

While refugee resettlement programs have halted with this current administration, immigrants already here are facing dire circumstances. Anti-immigrant policies have stripped away access to resources and stability. BRFN is filling a critical gap—providing essential supplies, trusted information, and culturally competent care for newcomer communities, supporting these communities to be informed and thrive.

Will you consider making a donation to BRFN’s Give in May campaign? 

In honor of AANHPI Heritage Month—and in recognition that more than half of our clients come from Afghanistan—this campaign uplifts and supports the communities at the heart of our work.

Your support is absolutely essential at this time of escalating need. Chip in even $10 if you can! Even a small gift can have a life-changing impact

Thank you for considering!

With gratitude,
The BRFN Team

#GiveInMay