A local organization is working to help resettle Afghan refugees following the Taliban takeover.
It comes as state representatives, including Adam Schiff, Ted Lieu and Eric Swalell, wrote a letter to President Joe Biden saying California is ready to house Afghan refugees.
The International Institute of Los Angeles has received 32 Afghan refugees so far this month and according to president and CEO, Cambria Tortorelli, it’s expecting up to 500 Afghan refugees over the next six months.
“It's averaging about one family a day, but that pace is going to pick up,” she said. “I'm quite sure"
The agency said it’s preparing by staffing up. It also created an "Act Now for Afghan Allies" campaign to raise money for support services and find volunteers to host refugees or help with resettlement. Tortorelli said the support has been incredible.
"It's really been a remarkable outpouring,” she said. “It’s certainly restoring my faith in human nature. It’s marvelous, actually. We have an extremely strong response from the Afghan American community in Orange and L.A. County who are desperate to help.”
Tortorelli said the agency is searching for landlords who will forego the credit check and can provide rent at a reasonable cost. They’re also searching for employers who can offer jobs to the refugees
"It's gonna take all of us to respond in a loving, welcoming supportive way to these folks who have been so traumatized,” she said.
To learn more about the International Institute of Los Angeles, click HERE.