New partnership will assist Afghan refugees settling in South Bend

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The City of South Bend and La Casa de Amistad announced their new partnership on Monday that will help Afghan refugees and immigrants during their settlement into the city.

To kickstart the new partnership, the city will provide $100,000 to cover services that include translators, mental health support and coverage of immigration attorney fees.

This initial financing will help 60 people that are moving into South Bend, including eight Afghan families and 12 soldiers who fought alongside United States armed forces.

“We’re thankful for those two bodies, the common council and the redevelopment commission, for making these funds available for this support. And, really, what we’re, like we said, we’re looking to make sure that we successfully have our new neighbors integrate into our community,” said South Bend Mayor James Mueller.

The City of South Bend is currently working to create similar programs that would assist with the settlement of Ukrainian refugees in the area.