Madison’s Junior Civitan Club is associated with the national Junior Civitan International, which supports people with disabilities. (https://juniorcivitan.org/)  In past years this has primarily entailed sending cards and gift baskets to VA hospitals and nursing homes.

In response to the isolation created by COVID, the Club’s leaders (Olivia Bell, Laura Guertin, Anika Gupta, Layla Ibrahim, Kate Laing, Bella Mack, Clare Shannon, and Kieran Warner) wanted to engage in a project which would encourage connection.  They felt particularly moved by the plight of Afghan refugees in the area.

The Club began by learning more about the 2021 WELCOMED Act (Welcoming Evacuees Coming from Overseas to Mitigate Effects of Displacement), a Congressional bill to provide assistance to refugees. The approximately 40 members of the Club gathered together to write to their Congressional Representatives, primary Gerry Connolly, asking them to co-sponsor the bill. Representative Connolly did co-sponsor the bill, but it has been stuck in the House Judiciary Committee since September.

Hoping to connect with local organizations, the Junior Civitan Club reached out to the Afghanistan Youth Relief Foundation (AYRF) in Chantilly. After talking with members of the AYRF, the Club decided to collect needed items for the Afghan refugees. They found local businesses willing to house their donation bins and created posters to encourage all Madison students to participate. The effort was a success, and they were able to donate many necessities to Afghan refugees in the area.

The club is currently working with other Madison High School clubs to participate in Project Linus, (https://www.projectlinus.org/) a national organization that makes blankets for ill, traumatized, and displaced children.