PAST PROJECT
Raahat was the name of CVT’s project serving Afghan refugees living in Minnesota. The clinical team chose the name “Raahat” because it means “comfort” or “ease” in Dari, Farsi and Pashto, the primary languages spoken by the Afghan community we served in Minnesota. The name Raahat conveys the essence of emotional well-being, tranquility and relief – all essential mental health components. The word is commonly used to encourage someone to find solace and comfort. The word aligned with our core objective, as we aimed to offer comfort and ease to Afghan community members as they navigated the challenges of their new life adjustments.
Whom We Serve
The Raahat project provided services designed to support Afghan individuals and families who recently resettled in the United States. The team had deep understanding and respect for the distinct needs of clients, and our commitment was to offer services precisely aligned with those needs. We served people of all backgrounds, race, language, gender, age, religion and ethnicity.
We incorporated cultural competence into every aspect of our services, ensuring that clients felt comfortable and understood as they worked toward rebuilding their lives in the United States.”
Culture and Language
We provided culturally and linguistically appropriate services to clients, offered both in Dari and Pashto. We incorporated cultural competence into every aspect of our services, ensuring that clients felt comfortable and understood as they worked toward rebuilding their lives in the United States.
OUR SERVICES
Social Support Groups and Activities
We offered regular eight- to 10-week group sessions tailored to various ages and identities to support newly arrived Afghans as they were taking their path to personal growth and well-being. Our sessions encompassed a range of topics, including community building, cultural adaptation, overall health, goal setting, parenting in the West and the establishment of a wellness-focused community. These sessions were conducted in collaboration with our valued partner, Afghan Cultural Society.
Psychotherapy
CVT’s Raahat team comprised caring therapists who understood the challenges that immigrants and refugees, including Afghans in the United States, may face. Our therapists helped clients in dealing with issues like difficulties with sleeping, fear, everyday stress and more. We worked to support clients on their journey to finding health and peace in their new home in Minnesota.
Social Work Services
Adapting to a new environment can be challenging. Through our case management services, our dedicated team of case managers worked closely with clients to provide essential support in areas including housing, employment, access to education and social services. By addressing these practical needs, we empowered clients to build a foundation for a more secure and self-reliant future.
Training and Outreach
The Raahat Project provided training to community members, organizations and service providers on various topics, including best practices for working with Afghan communities, trauma-informed care, secondary trauma and more.
