As I sat with Jan and IWR volunteer Glen Robertson, their comfort with one another suggested they’ve been friends for years. Yet the two were only introduced in January 2022, when Jan arrived in Ithaca as a refugee from Afghanistan. Glen, a member of IWR’s Response Team, has worn many hats for Jan in the time since: chauffeur, doctor researcher, learner’s permit test scheduler. 

At one point in our conversation, after describing all of the ways that Glen has helped him, Jan turned his body away from his roommate and interpreter, Sean, and towards Glen. Jan apologized to Glen with great sincerity, prompting laughter in the room.

I soon received the backstory: after Jan arrived in Ithaca, he received a donated bicycle from Bike Walk Tompkins, which was unfortunately stolen. Glen then lent Jan a used bicycle of his own—this time, with a lock. It met the same fate as the first. In response to Jan’s apology, Glen reassured him multiple times—with a warmth that again put Jan at ease—that he was not upset about the bike. It was refreshing to witness the depth of their relationship after only one year.

Life in Ithaca

Jan is easy to root for. Kind and gentle, the 26-year-old spoke about his appreciation for the opportunities he has had in Ithaca. He expressed a love for his new city, overlooking its unfortunate topography for someone who once got around solely by bicycle.

Jan is, in many ways, a model community member. He spends forty hours a week at his two retail jobs, having received USCIS humanitarian parole, which allows him to work while he pursues a more permanent residential status. When two new refugee families arrived in the area in January 2023, Jan took their grocery lists, shopped, and delivered food to them. He taught one of the new arrivals how to drive, and is working with a second on the same task. He connects with his mother and five siblings in Afghanistan each week, and worries for his father, a former member of the Afghan army.

In his free time, Jan studies English with Open Doors English, with concrete goals in mind, including obtaining his certification to be a pharmacist. Jan worked for many years as a hospital pharmacist in Afghanistan, and hopes to continue in the United States. He recently received his pharmacy technician certificate from Tompkins Cortland Community College, a course that was funded by the NYS Department of Labor. He and Sean enjoy driving by Cornell, where Jan dreams of studying law one day. 

Journey to a New Home

Jan’s journey to Ithaca was unexpected. He arrived at a military base in Wisconsin in August 2021, after rushing aboard a plane leaving Afghanistan following the American troop withdrawal. “I thought I was dropping my uncle at the airport,” he explained.

In addition to having no notice that he’d be leaving the country, he had no belongings beyond some papers. His uncle’s suitcase was stolen in the chaos. Once aboard their flight, they didn’t know where the plane would be landing; rumors circulated that it could be Dubai, or somewhere in Qatar. After landing in Germany, the plane ultimately made its way to the United States, a fact for which Jan feels lucky. He spent three months at a military base in Wisconsin before his move to Ithaca, where his uncle, a former interpreter for the U.S. army whose family IWR supported, resides. Before he arrived, his uncle told him not to worry: IWR would be ready to assist him.

After initially living with his uncle, aunt, and five cousins, Jan was soon ready for more independence. IWR connected him to a generous couple, Chris and Steve Zinder, who allowed him to live in an apartment they own rent-free for nine months. There, he further developed his community: Jan still gets phone calls from former neighbors to perform odd jobs. Chris shared an anecdote that fits in with everything I’ve learned about Jan: one winter day, she arrived home to see her walkway was shoveled. “I could get used to this!” she recalled thinking.

After several months, Jan moved in with Sean, the brother of an Afghan interpreter who he met through his uncle. Glen cited housing as a critical need for refugees, especially when they first arrive.

Growing a Network in Ithaca

Jan recently marked one year in Ithaca, a time filled with anxiety for his family but hope for his future. Despite feeling more comfortable, Jan still regularly reaches out to Glen for support.

“It’s very nice that he’s there whenever I need him,” Jan said. “He reaches out as soon as he sees my message.”

This need for support after one year stands in stark contrast to the 90 days’ worth of support given to refugees by the federal government. Ninety days is also the timeframe that private community sponsors are expected to assist and financially support refugees under the new State Department Welcome Corps program.

IWR’s focus on building sustainable relationships allows for open communication over time, so refugees can pursue independence on a timeline that reflects their individual circumstances. It is a focus that will continue to develop with a growing network of refugees like Jan, who pay it forward, and volunteers like Glen and the Zinders. 

“I want to thank IWR, especially Glen, for all that I’ve achieved,” Jan said. “Without these guys it wouldn’t have happened. I will forever be grateful for IWR.”

At the end of our time together, I asked Glen about his experience volunteering. He shared that volunteers should expect the experience “to be really kind of emotional.” Despite the need to keep emotions at bay, Glen described his experience with Jan as “one of the most fulfilling things” he had ever done. And just as Jan turned to Glen in the beginning of our conversation, Glen then shifted his focus to Jan. “And whatever you need next, you let me know,” he said.

Jan smiled and agreed, clarifying: “But maybe no more bikes.”