As waves of Afghans continue to arrive in the United States, many will likely resettle in Central Pennsylvania; Lancaster City in particular.
The area has a long history of aiding refugees from around the world.
A Lancaster-based non-profit, Bethany Christian Services, has been helping resettlement efforts since 2015. Already the organization has placed 250 Afghan allies and refugees, including 65 children who came to the U.S. alone after losing their parents. And now, as efforts continue that amount will more than double.
“We have a long history of resettling refugees. We are a welcoming city we have been doing this for decades, and so for us, this feels very natural,” said Mayor Danene Sorace.
Sorace added, “We have an incredibly diverse community, and that is a great strength for our city.”
Additionally, Sorace believes refugees will be an asset to the city's workforce and helping businesses curve the growing unemployment rate.
"I also know that given workforce shortages that there's a [need] lot of employers who are very eager to welcome those refugees and put them to work," Sorace, said.
When asked if she thought her entire community will be as welcoming, she had this to share: "We will lean into our values of loving our neighbors as ourselves, [because] that's what Lancaster is known for," Sorace said.