September 3, 2025
Over the past few weeks, WorkSource Montgomery has been proud to stand alongside incredible partners to support members of the Afghan community here in Montgomery County. Together with the New Neighbor Interfaith Alliance (NNIA), Senator Will Smith, Progressive Maryland’s Enclave Tenant Association, Montgomery County Child Care Support Services, Manna Foods, Hughes United Methodist Church, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the County’s Department of Technology and Enterprise Business Solutions team, we created opportunities for career growth, education, and community connection.
On August 8, 2025, WSM and our partners hosted a Childcare Career Fair at the Wheaton American Job Center. The event was a success, with:
• 63 women registered for a free online Childcare Certification Course offered through the Department of Health and Human Services.
• Transportation arranged for every participant.
• 41 women signed up for Montgomery County Public Library cards to access additional resources.
• A strong turnout of 69 jobseekers and 10 employers/resources eager to connect with talent.
Participating employers include:
- Georgetown Hill Early School
- Saint Luke Christian Day School
- Rockville Day Care Association
- Wonders Early Learning + Extended Day
- Global Children’s Center
- NIH- Parents of Preschoolers
- YMCA
We’re also grateful to Manna Foods, who generously provided fresh produce, and Hughes United Methodist Church, for donating snacks to keep participants energized throughout the day.
Building on that momentum, on August 12, 2025, WSM joined Senator Will Smith, Progressive Maryland’s Enclave Tenant Association, DHHS, and the County’s Department of Technology and Enterprise Business Solutions to host a Chromebook distribution event at the Enclave Apartments in Silver Spring. Thanks to the Biden Administration’s Emergency Connectivity Fund, we distributed 40 free Chromebooks to participants—ensuring that women enrolled in the Childcare Certification Course can complete their studies while also supporting their families’ educational needs.
One participant, Tamana Mehran, shared her story with us. After receiving her Chromebook, she told us she is preparing for an upcoming interview with an employer she met at the career fair. She expressed her gratitude for the resources and encouragement provided, underscoring the direct impact of these efforts.
Since then, WSM and our partners remained committed to ensuring every woman enrolled in the certification course received both a Chromebook and a public library card and we’re happy to announce we’ve distributed 65 Chromebooks and significantly increased library card registrations.
Of the participants, Walina Hamidi secured employment, Hadia Sherzad landed an interview, and Tamana Mehran has advanced to the next step in her interview process. We wish them the best of luck and can’t wait to share more updates on the other participants.
Thank you to our Business Services team—Michelle Brown (Director) and Mona Liza Tinaza (Manager)—for their dedication and commitment to working with employers to create solutions that empower this group of women with the tools to access classes, continue their education, and build pathways to economic opportunity. This work is especially impactful at a time when women and girls in Afghanistan are being denied access to both education and employment
We also want to thank Sara Assadullah, an Executive Administrator at WSM, for playing a major role in initiating these efforts and ensuring their success. Earlier this year, in February 2025, Sara was honored on the floor of the Maryland Senate by Senator William C. Smith, Jr. for her commitment to ensuring Afghan refugees in Montgomery County have the resources to rebuild their lives. These recent events reflect her continued leadership and dedication.
With the support of our partners, we’re proud to help families in our Afghan community take the next steps toward stability, education, and opportunity.
