Our Mission

Afghan Health Initiative (AHI) is dedicated to empowering immigrant and refugee families to achieve stability and self-sufficiency.

By addressing the social determinants of health, AHI provides culturally and linguistically tailored services that foster resilience, promote equitable access, and improve the overall well-being of immigrants and refugees across King County.

We envision empowered and thriving communities where every immigrant and refugee can access health, education, and opportunity.

OUR STORY

More than 96,000 Afghan immigrants and refugees have resettled in the U.S., carrying lived experiences shaped by war, trauma, and displacement.

Afghan Health Initiative (AHI) was founded to address the systemic inequities faced by newly arrived Afghans. Established by current and former immigrants and refugees navigating the complexities of resettlement, AHI has since expanded its mission to serve diverse immigrant and refugee populations across King County. As the only nonprofit in Washington State led by and for Afghan immigrants, we are uniquely positioned to respond to the evolving needs and health disparities within our community.

AHI provides culturally responsive and linguistically appropriate social services and health advocacy, ensuring Afghan immigrants and refugees—and now broader immigrant communities—have equitable access to healthcare, education, and economic opportunity. We are committed to ensuring that our community’s voices are heard, represented in data, and met with tailored, preventative health and social services.

Our organization exists to bridge service gaps and amplify the voices of immigrant and refugee populations, ensuring they are reflected in data, policy, and care. Through our programs, we foster self-sufficiency, resilience, and holistic well-being, helping individuals and families thrive in their new home.

What Our Community Says

  • “AHI is more than just a place—it's like coming home. The people here speak your language, know your culture, and truly understand what you need as an immigrant.”

  • “When I discovered high lead levels in my child’s blood, I was terrified. AHI stood by us, partnering with Public Health to help bring my child’s lead levels down to zero, protecting them from lasting harm.”

  • “Through AHI’s youth program, our daughter found a community of mentors and peers who helped her navigate resources, ultimately earning her a full scholarship to Seattle University.”

  • “Coming to the U.S. with small children and no steady income was very scary. Through AHI’s programs, we’ve received essentials that have helped us manage as a family of seven on a single income.”

  • “When we first arrived in the U.S., our resettlement agency was overwhelmed, and we felt like a burden. Then we were referred to AHI, and everything changed. My family will be forever grateful for their lasting impact.”

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