A HISTORIC

Season of Welcome

WE ARE

Moved by hope.

Since September 2021, OKC has welcomed over one thousand new neighbors from Afghanistan through the Afghan Placement Assistance (APA) program, along with thirty-four neighbors from Myanmar, Vietnam, Sudan, and Afghanistan through traditional refugee resettlement (RRC). This past year has been one of fast-paced change and responding in new and innovative ways as neighbors lead us in hope. While this is not a conclusive view of Spero’s partnerships, programs and happenings, we hope this is a helpful glance into some of what this year has held, knowing that we couldn’t have done this without such generous neighbors, friends and partners like you!

Keep scrolling to take a look month by month of what the last year has held.

OCTOBER 2021

Our new Afghan neighbors are arriving! Individuals and families started to arrive at the end of September and continued in October. It has been such a joy and an honor to be present with and learn from neighbors since the first called Oklahoma home.

While the resettlement agency worked on finding long-term housing, Spero partnered with new neighbors living in hotels by hosting daily programs and weekly cultural orientations. In this time, the Spero team also developed a new cultural orientation curriculum specifically for children arriving from Afghanistan into OKC.

Spero added a team of additional Community Support Specialists to welcome and support Afghan neighbors.

  • Community Support Specialists (CSS) are dedicated cultural brokers and partners for RRC and APA families. Understanding that life after resettlement is layered and nuanced, CSSs walk alongside neighbors offering support for day-to-day life, such as transportation, medical/dental appointments, navigating food stamps and Soonercare, accessing clothing/ housing items/ food, being a broker for living arrangements, schools, any US system, and anything that comes up in day to day life. CSSs are often the first call for neighbors when pressing needs, emergencies or questions arise.

A few of our Afghan neighbors moved into long term housing at a local apartment complex by mid October. We began welcoming Afghan neighbors into the existing Spero Classroom programming at our original classroom site (Classroom Site 1).

  • Over the years of partnering in the resettled community, we’ve learned that place-based programming such as this is vital, and creates an environment of mutual learning. Spero Classrooms are housed in hotels, apartment complexes, and neighborhoods where our new neighbors reside. These classrooms host programming such as after school programs for students, individualized tutoring, adult ELL classes, and other adult education courses covering a wide range of topics like citizenship, health education, financial literacy, home buying 101, and more! These spaces also become community hubs and remove barriers such as transportation and need for childcare, and improve overall accessibility.

As resettlement expanded, Spero staff developed curriculum and led multiple volunteer trainings for the many individuals, organizations, churches wanting to respond in welcome to the arrival of so many new neighbors. Over the course of the year, 323 individuals participated in these training sessions.

NOVEMBER 2021

As new Afghan neighbors were getting settled in OKC, many were eager and requesting to learn English. Those who could joined existing Spero classes. In response to our neighbors, we began creating additional classes in other locations. In addition to the existing RRC educational programs held at Classroom Site 2, the Spero team hosted its first English Language Learning (ELL) classes specifically for the APA community the first week of November. We called them “Family Nights” because we had a women’s class, men’s class and kids’ classes going on all at once!

  • All levels of adult ELL classes include a focus on literacy and verbal language skills that impact daily life, including paying bills, communicating with employers, and more.

At neighbors’ requests, Spero’s new Employment Support Team began working with individuals to assist in job placement. Employment Support Specialists additionally provided orientation of workplace culture in the US, and led training sessions for employers covering Afghan culture and nuances of trauma responses following displacement.

  • Beyond the role of a job developer, Employment Support Specialists (ESS) act as a broker between employers and employees in the resettled community to ensure strong working relationships. ESS’s main goal is to ensure that neighbors feel welcomed and supported in their employment roles as they adjust to new systems in the US. They are long standing partners not only as neighbors first enter the workforce, but they are a support for neighbors who wish to be recertified in their field of expertise from their home country, and assist neighbors navigating promotions, finding new employment, and more.

Existing programs in RRC, such as Citizenship Support and English Language Immersion, continued throughout the year. Since January 2021 and continuing to the present day, two semesters of 10-week Citizenship Classes have been offered in the RRC community annually. In addition to these classes, individualized citizenship tutoring is offered year round for neighbors at any point in the Naturalization process.

  • Within Spero’s citizenship support programs, we offer free materials such as curriculum from USCIS and reputable organizations and teachers, as well as content developed by the Spero team specifically for resettled communities in OKC. We also help neighbors navigate legal support, from discussing their options of filing alone or with an attorney to scheduling appointments and meeting with attorneys.

  • English Immersion is an ongoing support that doesn't align with academic calendars like our ELL classes. This English support is designed to accommodate varying levels of English proficiency and educational backgrounds during the first 90 days upon arrival (or before neighbors are placed in employment), supplementing the cultural orientation that the resettlement agency provides upon arrival. Our goal is for individuals to receive 10-20 hours of tailored English instruction before starting jobs or joining other ELL classes upon preference.

DECEMBER 2021

In December, most APA families continued to live in short term housing. In order to provide a space for families to get out of the hotels and engage with their new home, Spero partnered with many volunteers and local organizations to host a morning program which included educational activities, English lessons, and cultural orientation for kids and adults. We’re incredibly grateful for the many volunteers who jumped in to assist with childcare, ELL classes, and transportation to and from the program site!

As OKC began to welcome many expecting mothers in the Afghan community, several neighbors expressed concern about navigating healthcare systems in the US. Our CSS team in the Afghan community began providing support to several expecting mothers through setting up prenatal appointments, ensuring transportation, and supporting them through labor and delivery by navigating medical systems and acting as a cultural broker.

Realizing the need for strong language support, Spero hired a team of full-time translators from the Afghan community. Translators assisted with communication for Employment, Medical, Legal, Education and general Community Support activities for families in the community.

Knowing the realities of the asylum system, Spero partnered with what would become the Afghan Legal Network to perform free intake appointments for families to begin the Asylum process. Throughout the year, this partnership continued through providing assistance with transportation and communication/translation as families sought legal support.

JANUARY 2022

Understanding that students would be living in hotels for an extended period while waiting for long term housing and school placement, the morning educational program grew into the Spero Transitional Education Program (STEP).

  • This full-day, semester-long program, designed in partnership with the Afghan community, focused on creating culturally responsive and trauma-informed care and educational opportunities for over 240 students, Pre-K through 12th grade. Led by professionals from both the Afghan community and local teachers and partners, STEP fostered a “third space” in which students could share about their home culture while learning about culture in the United States. In addition to the professional staff, volunteers ensured a welcoming atmosphere at STEP by offering support for teachers, assisting with group/individual tutoring, facilitating games and activities, and taking care of day-to-day tasks.

STEP also served as a temporary pop-up site for 2 levels of new ELL classes! We’re grateful for the Spero APA ELL team, and partners at FriendSpeak who facilitated these learning opportunities.

  • Hosting women’s ELL classes at STEP was vital to ensuring a welcoming and safe atmosphere for both students and mothers. Since many neighbors voiced concern about the anxiety of being separated from family members during the day, these onsite classes gave children the opportunity to connect with their mothers if they became nervous or overwhelmed during the day as they experienced new things in a new language.

  • A pop-up site opened for a semester of new ELL classes for men living in hotels at the same time as womens’ ELL classes at STEP.

School Liaisons partnered with Afghan students and parents to host tours of new school districts and provide translators for first day of school activities. Across RRC and APA, School Liaisons also assisted year round with navigating programs like DHS SNAP Benefits and Connect2Compete, which allows families to apply for affordable wifi while children are enrolled in K-12 schooling.

  • Through the years, we’ve learned that a strong relationship with a school and a feeling of accessibility make a large impact on a family’s longevity in a specific location. School Liaisons partner with families to navigate school systems. They act as a cultural broker between educators and families, ensuring clear communication and ongoing support throughout the school year. School Liaisons worked with three local school districts to assist with enrollment, back-to-school activities, and professional development trainings covering Afghan culture and trauma responses following displacement.

The APA team began facilitating weekly womens’ mental health groups at STEP.

  • New neighbors entering into our community after displacement embody an immense amount of resiliency, hope and strength that we are so grateful to witness. We recognize however, the immensity of traumatic events that have led to families making their home in OKC. From going on the run and fearing for the well-being of loved ones still in home countries to learning an entirely new community and the cultural nuances of making a new place home, there are many layers to the experience of resettlement. We have been really grateful to partner with neighbors through mental health support groups. These are safe environments where a licensed professional counselor is present weekly to hold space, support and offer coping skills and psychoeducation that support neighbors as they adjust to life in Oklahoma.

FEBRUARY 2022

By the end of February, all expected 1,000 individuals from Afghanistan had arrived in Oklahoma City! Although this was the end of new arrivals for APA, families continued to be resettled into OKC through traditional refugee resettlement.

Through a partnership with Oklahoma’s chapter of the Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America (APPNA), the Spero team began hosting a weekly medical clinic to assist neighbors in accessing medical screening, referrals, and medicine. We are so grateful for local doctors volunteering time to provide medical care!

In conjunction with the medical clinic, Community Support Specialists focused their efforts on supporting neighbors in establishing a relationship with Primary Care Providers, and have continued to provide support for appointments as needed throughout the year.

Spero's APA Employment Support Specialists worked with a local employer to host a hiring event which assisted in the hiring of 25 individuals.

With more neighbors moving into apartment complexes, the APA ELL team opened Classroom Site 3. We partnered with a local nonprofit, to use their space to provide near place-based ELL classes for men, women and children. We provided transportation for families to and from the center.

  • We want to give our deepest thanks to City Center for their partnership in creating this new classroom site. We couldn’t have done it without their hospitality and support!

MARCH 2022

Employment Support Specialists continued networking in the OKC community to assist new neighbors in finding a job that is well-fitting for them and their families. From January to March, 85 neighbors received job development assistance, and 26 neighbors were placed in employment!

In partnership with OU Medical and Variety Care, 263 neighbors accessed vaccinations through their Vaccine Van programs.

Classroom Site 4 opened on-site at a new apartment complex where nearly 40 Afghan families moved into. Within the first month of this classroom being open, 63 individuals enrolled in Spero's weekly classes.

42 women took part in our Sewing Program!

  • The sewing program began as a weekly community project in partnership with Spring Creek Baptist Church to help create more comfortable and familiar homes for our new Afghan neighbors. Utilizing SCBC’s sewing room, neighbors made large floor cushions that Afghan families traditionally have in their homes to sit on, converse, drink tea, eat, and enjoy company.

In partnership with MobileSmiles, neighbors in the resettled community received assistance for dental needs and referrals for long term care.

Spero volunteers began taking groups of neighbors living in temporary housing to run errands. These trips included stops at the grocery store, pharmacy, bank, and more.

APRIL 2022

Classroom Site 5 opened in a new apartment complex with a significant number of Afghan tenants.

The APA team expanded the womens’ weekly mental health groups to Spero Classroom Sites around the city. This year, 70 women have participated in these groups. Additionally, we are working with a male LPC to begin similar groups for men in the Afghan community.

APA CSS Team began working with neighbors to enroll in driving school. Additionally, members of the CSS team provided translation during classes, and transportation to the school and test appointments at DPS.

The “Spero Adult Education Scholarship Fund” was established, and a partnership began with The Language Company. Through this fund, we were able to support our first neighbor entering an intensive English language study to prepare for higher education in Oklahoma. This fund has provided scholarships for 2 neighbors in RRC programs and 4 neighbors in APA programs this year.

MAY 2022

80 neighbors received consistent transportation support specific to employment.

  • This ESS supportive service has created a bridge allowing neighbors to access employment without personal transportation in order to save for a vehicle to sustain employment.

Over 100 neighbors received assistance in obtaining a driver’s license.

School Liaisons continued to work with families to help students attend summer school in their respective districts and to re-enroll for the coming school year.

Community Support Specialists continued to support families as they became familiar with banking institutions and processes, understanding bills and bill payment cycles, and more.

25 adult neighbors attended the first Dental Hygiene class. We are grateful for the Refugee Support Group’s (RSG) partnership in putting together a group of physicians, dentists and other professionals to provide educational activities around community health.

JUNE 2022

Women’s health classes and educational partnerships with various community agencies began at several classroom sites.

Classroom Site 6 opened at a new apartment complex to host APA educational programming. Throughout all Classroom Sites, 179 adults participated in consistent English Language Learning classes this quarter! 

The first 6-Session Financial Literacy Class began at Spero Classroom Site 3 with 35 heads of household enrolled.

From April to June, Employment Support Specialists assisted with 55 job placements!

Traditional refugee resettlement (RRC) continued alongside APA resettlement. As the community grew, RRC Student Support Summer Programs expanded from one class to three, hosting 25 students total. This year, staff developed a new curriculum specifically for young students in the resettled community, hosted professionals to discuss careers like nursing and firefighting, and planned field trips to the zoo for younger children and college tours for middle school and high school students.

JULY 2022

The Womens’ Sewing Program expanded to two Spero Classroom Sites! As this program grew, it shifted to focus on building skills to sew items not only for their families, but also items to potentially sell in local markets. We are so grateful for the generous partners who’ve donated sewing machines and materials for these classes!

  • Offering true welcome means inviting everyone to be and give of themselves fully. Because of this we know we must be guided in every way by the voice of our neighbors, directing us to build or let go of programs, including this one. This program has been the first of its kind in Spero's partnerships, and we are incredibly grateful for the women who've led us in this endeavor. As always, accessible, relevant, and relatable educational opportunities are foundational in Spero's Adult Education Program, but each iteration is as unique as the community surrounding it.

In response to requests from neighbors, we began hosting a women’s Pashto Literacy class, known as Pashto Plus!

  • In this class, facilitated by a fellow native Pashto speaker, women studied both the Pashto and English alphabets while practicing various learning techniques. Many of our Pashto speaking Afghan neighbors have little or no formal education history. Because of this, many also do not have literacy in Pashto. Research has shown a strong correlation between first language mastery and learning a second language. Recognizing the importance of native language literacy, not only in being able to receive and understand essential communication, but also in learning another language such as English, we were excited when the community requested this resource. This pilot class started at Classroom Site 5 with expectations to expand.

AUGUST 2022

Throughout the year, CSSs and School Liaisons provided translation for neighbors’ school meetings, such as parent-teacher conferences and 504 Individual Education Plan meetings.

We opened Classroom Site 7 at another apartment with a significant number of Afghan tenants.

SEPTEMBER 2022

APA ELL Specialists partnered with OCCC to enroll 70 adult students in Advanced English Language Learning Classes or Computer Classes!

  • Through hosting an enrollment night onsite at a Spero classroom site and assisting with transportation for these courses, neighbors continue to have ongoing connections with and support from the APA ELL Team.

We partnered with RSG to offer the Dental Hygiene class at two more Spero sites. 67 adults participated across these 2 sites.

The Sewing Program grew again to four on-site classrooms with three more coming soon!

Pashto Plus expanded to 4 classes for women at multiple locations. 

From July to September, Employment Support Specialists assisted with 106 job placements!

Through a partnership with Safe Kids OKC we hosted 3 car seat safety events. This event included a training about car seat safety and free car seats available to neighbors.

OCTOBER 2022

Classroom Site 8 opened at a new apartment complex with a large number of Afghan tenants.

Moving toward long-term planning and stability, we began one-on-one financial literacy support in homes with Afghan families.

Spero added multiple Community-Based Educators to our team. 

  • Community-Based Educators focus on providing localized education in homes in response to families’ felt needs. Education opportunities can consist of topics like financial principles, health education, and more. These educators specifically develop content and modes of delivery that are accessible for the Afghan community

During this year, the Spero Team provided over 1,180 hours of transportation support for neighbors. This included transportation for employment, medical services, legal appointments, educational opportunities, and more. We’re also incredibly grateful for the many volunteers who provided numerous rides for new neighbors this year!

NOVEMBER 2022

Pashto Plus expanded to include weekly men’s classes!

The Spero Team began developing a health education curriculum specifically for neighbors resettled into OKC discussing the nuances of navigating US healthcare systems.

DECEMBER 2022

In December alone, Spero supported over 200 neighbors with transportation, translation, and education, and assistance scheduling appointments as they learned to navigate medical systems. In such a significant season of flu, RSV, covid, and more, the Spero team prioritized medical navigation in this season.

As we looked toward the upcoming year, the addition of a Housing Support Program developed. This new team is available to neighbors for developing household budgets, understanding housing options, and offer support as neighbors make decisions on their next steps of housing

JANUARY 2023

The Afghan Youth Mentoring Program launched in January through a partnership with OKDHS. Specifically designed for Afghan neighbors, ages 15-24, this program encourages and supports mentees as they set and achieve goals for their future. Spero is so grateful to incredible mentors who stepped up for mentees, many of whom have experienced displacement and resettlement themselves.

Burmese classes began! This weekly class partners with parents as students learn literacy and grammar skills in their first language.

The Stars Dance team started its first session. This program was developed by Spero team members who experienced resettlement years ago and found dance to be an important part of their journey. Elementary students in the refugee community loved the classes from the start and continue to grow in their dance skills!

The addition of a full time shuttle driver for medical appointments created an important step forward for our APA neighbors. As neighbors work with a service that accommodates language and cultural barriers well, they develop confidence in navigating more public transportation options in the future.

FEBRUARY 2023

The RRC Student Support program continued their focus on higher education and hosted a special tour of Oklahoma State University.  Students were able to see college classes, living, and social activities in action!

Our Employment Support Specialist team expanded. In response to requests by APA neighbors, Spero developed additional employment support programming for female neighbors. Programming includes education on workplace culture, employment skills, and assistance sourcing and acquiring employment. 

Health Based Education Classes began, educating on topics like the difference between different types of medical care, understanding insurance, and healthy living basics. Weekly classes will occur at all Spero classroom sites and in-home classes throughout the year.

New Adjustment Groups for both men and women launched. Groups are designed to partner with neighbors in the APA community as they continue to adjust to new lives in Oklahoma. These groups introduce neighbors to resources and methods for stress relief, social integration, and more through things like walking groups, visits to the library, and sports activities. 10 weekly adjustment groups are occurring throughout the APA community.

Reflecting on this snapshot of what the past 17 months have looked like for Spero and the resettled community of OKC, we feel honored to learn from new neighbors and expand what it means to be a city of welcome. We continue to hope together that OKC will be the most welcoming city in the world, and we are genuinely grateful for your partnership in creating that reality.

View more information and support ongoing partnerships in the resettled community.