The New American Association of Massachusetts (NAAMA), an organization that aids refugees and immigrants across the state, finds itself embroiled in controversy following allegations of mistreatment and financial impropriety.
These accusations have been leveled against Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Archewell Foundation, which recently published an impact report highlighting its partnership with NAAMA.
According to the report, the Archewell Foundation launched the Welcome Project earlier this year, aiming to support women-led programming for recently resettled Afghan women, fostering inclusive and connected communities.
As part of this initiative, the foundation provided a grant to NAAMA in June 2023 for its Afghan Women Workshop.
Natasha Sulkin, the Executive Director of NAAMA, confirmed the workshop’s launch in Lynn in November 2022, offering Afghan women a space to socialize, find childcare support, and build a sense of community.
However, the positive intentions behind the Welcome Project risk being overshadowed by association with allegations of misconduct.
It appears that Archewell’s Welcome Project bears striking similarities to an earlier endeavor called the Human First Coalition (HFC), raising concerns about the vetting process for nonprofit partnerships.
In the past, Archewell had shown support for HFC, as evidenced by their donation on behalf of Harry and Meghan and their listing as honorees at the organization’s gala.
Questions surrounding HFC’s credibility emerged when it was discovered that the organization’s founder, Safi Raf, faced accusations of mistreating refugees and engaging in fraudulent activities.
An ABC News investigation revealed previously unreported allegations against Raf and his organization.
Furthermore, a government-backed institution filed a lawsuit against Raf and HFC, claiming that the organization failed to evacuate its employees despite receiving over half a million dollars for the rescue operation.
Additionally, concerns were raised about the transparency of the organization’s funding.
Refugees who were promised assistance by HFC expressed their disappointment, with one individual stating, “Safi, Meghan, and Harry left us behind.
They left us in darkness.”
These revelations come in the wake of criticism directed at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s involvement with the Arch Royal Foundation.
Critics have accused the couple of dedicating minimal time to their charitable endeavors, with reports suggesting that the foundation lost over 8 million dollars in donations within a year.
However, sources close to the couple have refuted these claims, arguing that they are misleading.
Despite this, commentators such as Kinsey Schofield have voiced skepticism regarding Harry and Meghan’s commitment to their philanthropic work.
Schofield appeared on GB News and asserted that the couple often align themselves with existing charities, seeking to attach their names to initiatives that are already successful.
This approach, according to Schofield, allows them to benefit from the efforts of others with minimal exertion.
The allegations against HFC and its founder, Safi Raf, raise concerns about the integrity of nonprofit organizations and the importance of thorough vetting processes.
The accusations also cast a shadow over Archewell’s Welcome Project, which aimed to support vulnerable Afghan women.
As the fallout from these allegations continues, it remains to be seen how the involved parties will address and resolve these serious concerns.