Specific needs are detailed in any upcoming “welcoming ways” activities shown at right (or below when viewing on a mobile device). If there are no projects listed, or there are no volunteer slots available, and you wish to get a jump start with helping on our next home setup, complete this form.
New & Gently Used Essentials Needed
Each month, KindWorks hosts a giveaway for immigrants, newcomers, and low-income families—distributing a range of household goods and other essentials to these families at no cost. Your contributions of new or gently used items make this special program possible and directly support our new neighbors as they settle into their homes.
Our most needed items include:
All items must be clean and in very good condition or better—no stains, pet hair, or smoke.
Note: We are unable to store or pick up donations in advance. Please bring items directly to the Giveaway site on the day of the event.
Join us to share essential items and warm smiles. Held on the third Thursday of each month from 12:00 PM to 3:30 PM at 6155 64th Ave, Riverdale, MD 20737. We invite you to contribute and volunteer in one of three ways:
If you’re unable to come in person or drop off items that day, please contact us.
Help empower newcomer women by teaching English in small group or individual settings. Our classes are focused on helping women become confident, independent, and ready to participate fully in society—including obtaining employment.
We currently support four different groups of students:
Many of our students are mothers of young children, which makes attending formal courses or college very difficult. Our flexible, volunteer-led program is designed with their needs in mind.
Some of our graduates have successfully found jobs and graduated from our English classes. This is exactly our mission: to support women in becoming self-sufficient and active members of their communities.
We’re fortunate to have a committed team of teachers but are always looking for more support. No prior teaching experience is required! We provide volunteers with our teaching method and welcome you to share your own ideas.
If you’re ready and willing to volunteer on an ongoing basis with us, contact our Program Manager. We’d love to hear from you!
Here are some of the types of household furnishings KindWorks often needs for newcomer home setups. Please note that the apartments we help with cannot fit breakfronts, armoires, and other large furniture sized for a single-family home.
Items in bold are on our most wanted list!
Every home KindWorks sets up relies upon donors like you to supply the full range of items that make an apartment comfortable and livable—from sofas to lamps to cleaning supplies. Because specific items vary depending on each family’s needs and the apartment space we’re working with (and the fact that we have very limited storage space and access to moving equipment), we are often only able to accept furniture and other household donations when we are preparing for a known home setup or are actively in the process of setting up a home. To learn about donation needs associated with an active home setup, click the link(s) for any planned home setups listed on this page, above. Then, sign up to deliver any furnishings still needed. If there are no upcoming opportunities posted, or if you have items to donate that aren’t needed for any listed projects or furniture that requires pickup, please let us know what you have so we can advise you of what we might be able to accept and when. Email Mhrangiz with details about your donation, including
Please note that our ability to accept furniture donations is determined by current need, available volunteer labor, and very limited storage space. We appreciate your understanding.
Furniture donated for our apartment setup projects must be in at least very good condition, with no chips, tears, or stains. Other household goods should be new or very gently used. In addition, all donations must be clean and completely free of pet hair, cobwebs, and cigarette smoke.
(and the pantry too!)
Standard grocery list
These quantities are designed for a family of three; multiply as needed to provide enough groceries for the family you’re welcoming:
The Finishing Touch:
Provide a newly arriving Afghan family a meal from your heart by preparing a welcome dinner featuring the flavors and dishes they have known their whole lives. This is a perfect activity for a family or a group of friends who like to learn new recipes and hang out in the kitchen together!
KindWorks welcome dinners are delivered to the homes we set up as well as through local resettlement agencies serving multiple families. (If you’re from outside the DC area and want to prepare welcome dinners for newly arriving families in your area, email us and we’ll give you the information you need to contact the resettlement agencies near you.)
More ways to help! If you’re unable to cook but would still like to provide a homemade meal to Afghan immigrants, you can donate online to our home setups fund and contribute towards purchase of ingredients for our welcome dinners.
These companies have generously donated moving services that enable our home setup projects
Check out how KindWorks volunteers created a welcoming new home for three young adult cousins resettling in Maryland from Afghanistan.
See more on our KindWorks home setup playlist on YouTube.
KindWorks | 7979 Old Georgetown Road | 10th Floor | Bethesda, MD 20814 | 202-505-8317
