Our Partners

At WATAPUR, our commitment to the refugees, low-income individuals, and Afghan community in Illinois is amplified through strategic partnerships with esteemed social service organizations and government agnencies. By joining forces with like-minded entities, we are able to broaden our reach and deepen the positive impact we create. Together, we forge a path toward a stronger, more resilient community.

Zakat Chicago: Fostering Compassion and Support

Our collaboration with Zakat Chicago amplifies our ability to provide compassionate aid to those in need. By harnessing the power of zakat, we channel resources to address pressing challenges within the Afghan community. Together, we stand united in our mission to alleviate suffering and uplift lives.

About Zakat Chicago:

The primary mission of Zakat Chicago is to establish Zakat as a living institution in the Greater Chicago area. We endeavor to accomplish this mission by: Collecting Zakat annually, Distributing Zakat locally to meet the community’s Zakat-eligible needs Educating the community about Zakat, and Coordinating between Zakat-collecting and -distributing organizations. Zakat Chicago has also undertaken the collection of Sadaqa and general charity, so as to be able to also meet the community’s needs that are not Zakat-eligible.

Zakat Chicago's Refugee Assistance

Hundreds of refugees come to Chicago each year. ZC sponsors several support organizations.

Hundreds of refugees and asylees come to Chicago, escaping war, famine, and violence. Upon arriving in the United States, asylees are sent to detention centers around the country. Adult detention centers in the Chicago area also serve as collar county jails where asylees can wait for months at a time for a trial. Zakat Chicago, in order to help refugees and asylees in the Chicagoland area, sponsors several well-established refugee and asylee support organizations that assist people from around the world that welcome refugees and asylum-seekers and provide countless services while they transition to life in the U.S or await trial.

Zakat Chicago supports these organizations and the people who benefit from them by providing rental assistance, paying for English classes, and providing job training. Furthermore, asylees are encouraged to learn life skills and receive an education while in these programs. Your donation to Zakat Chicago can make a world of difference in the lives of people escaping persecution around the world.

"With immense gratitude, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Zakat Chicago for their transformative grant of $4,800. This invaluable support empowers 40 Afghan individuals and families, enabling us to guide them through job applications, public benefits, resumes, emails, tax consultation, and employment search. Zakat Chicago's generosity fuels our mission of empowerment and community upliftment, creating a brighter future for all."

Ketab Relief Organization: Nurturing Education and Literacy

Partnering with Ketab Relief Organization empowers us to further our educational initiatives. Through this collaboration, we ensure that literacy and knowledge are accessible to all, laying the groundwork for a brighter future. By promoting education, we plant the seeds of transformation that will flourish for generations to come.

"A heartfelt thank you for your instrumental role in bringing our education center project to life in Afghanistan. Your support and expertise have empowered us to make a real difference in the lives of many. We deeply appreciate your partnership and look forward to continued collaboration."

Immigration Legal Services for Afghan Arrivals (ILSAA)

ILSAA provides Eligible Afghan Arrivals (EAAs) across the country with the free legal services they need to navigate the U.S. legal immigration system. We also build the capacity of Legal Service Providers (LSPs) to better serve EAAs.

Request free legal services from trained providers and access translated information on legal immigration topics. Learn more in Pashto language OR Dari language

Many Afghan individuals and families are facing legal challenges that could significantly impact their ability to live permanently and securely in the United States.

Immigration Legal Services for Afghan Arrivals (ILSAA) attorneys and their teams provide free immigration legal services for Eligible Afghan Arrivals (EAAs), including support for pathways to permanent residency, such as obtaining asylum status and Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) status, family reunification and more. Services are available in all of the languages spoken in Afghanistan, including Dari and Pashto.

Request Now: Email ILSAAinfo@icf.com with your name, phone number, and primary language preference to identify translation needs

Benefits.Gov

Benefits.gov provides information on more than 1,000 Federal and state benefit programs. Complete the free and confidential Benefit Finder to receive a list of benefits you may be eligible to receive.

MENTEE: World Changing Connections

MENTEE is a global network of specialists, NGOs, and other organizations that together support disadvantaged people 18 and older around the world with global mentoring, education and workforce training, and opportunities to help make genuine change in the world today. Their GLOBAL MENTORSHIP gives mentees a searchable platform with a global mentor gallery to access academic, professional, or personal guidance and learning sessions to help mentees reach their goals. Mentees have a peer-to-peer sharing space and are supported by monthly Mind & Body Healing and professional development events. EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE TRAINING is offered by our global mentors and through partnerships with universities who provide alternative-learning experiences and certifications. As an UN SDG organization, OPPORTUNITIES are offered to support the whole human, such as free vouchers for English language tests and free membership to educational tools through our various partnerships. GENUINE CHANGE is also tackled through cross-sector research partnerships to elevate the voices of everyone in our community through assessment and analysis of our work and experiences. And, all of these supports are provided to our mentees for life.