The IU Jacobs School of Music CRE brought several ensembles to perform for the Afghanistan refugees at Camp Atterbury early this month. The Singing Hoosiers, IU Crimson Drumline, and the Jazz Ensemble provided several early afternoon concerts for the evacuated families. Overflowing the gymnasium bleachers, the Afghans excitedly filmed the performers, afterwards requesting photos with the students.
Camp Atterbury, a National Guard training base in Edinburgh, Indiana, is currently housing several thousand Afghan evacuees as part of “Operation All Allies Welcome.” This national initiative works to transition high risk Afghan nationals into a life in the United States. A large percentage of the refugees are children, with many large families fleeing the Taliban together. While the refugees are temporarily living in the Camp Atterbury barracks, the Department of Homeland Security provides aid in sorting through humanitarian parole qualifications, work authorizations, vaccinations, and identity checks. They also offer weekly English classes for both children and adults, provide information on jobs and budgeting skills, teach American culture courses, and connect the Afghans with potential employers hosting virtual job fairs.
Since the first arrival of evacuees in September, more than 700 Afghans have moved off base and made Indiana their home. Camp Atterbury has successfully transitioned 3,000 evacuees into new lives across the United States, while approximately 4,000 individuals still remain at the training base. The base hopes to resettle 100% of the refugees by early 2022.
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