Saeed Taraky fled Afghanistan. Now he helps refugees/immigrants build new lives in Erie

Saeedullah Taraky came to Erie less than two years ago during a harrowing time for both his family and the people of his native Afghanistan.

The country’s government began crumbling in August 2021 after its capital city of Kabul was captured by the Taliban, despite efforts of the U.S. and NATO to stabilize the country.

U.S. troops were scheduled to withdraw from Afghanistan within two weeks of the Taliban’s takeover, ending a two-decade war that started after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

“I was working with the U.S. military back in Afghanistan as an advisor for almost 10 years," said Taraky, 34, who commonly goes by the first name Saeed. He began working for Erie Mayor Joe Schember’s administration in February as the city’s liaison to immigrants, refugees and new Americans.

“We were forced to leave the country after the collapse. We finally came to Erie in September 2022 and it was a shock for me,” Taraky said. “It’s not easy to leave your country, your family, your friends and loved ones.

“But we feel welcome in Erie,” Taraky said. “I’m looking forward to this new opportunity.”

Taraky succeeds Niken Astari Carpenter, the city’s first liaison to the new American/immigrant communities, who resigned in May 2023 to explore other opportunities.

Schember created the new position of immigrant and refugee liaison, and appointed Carpenter to the post, when he took office in January 2018, as part of a concerted effort to reach out to Erie’s immigrant and refugee community. The position's annual salary is $45,000, according to the city of Erie's 2024 budget.

Previous coverage: Niken Astari Carpenter, Erie's first new American/immigrant liaison, resigns

Carpenter had served as a judge in her native Indonesia for 12 years before moving to the United States.

Taraky speaks five languages including Urdu (Pakistani); Dari and Pashto (Afghan; Pashto is also spoken in Pakistan and Iran) Hindi; and English.

He is a former case manager for Catholic Charities Counseling & Adoption Services — where he helped new Americans with myriad resettlement issues such as employment, legal status, government benefits and cultural orientation — and Taraky earned a diploma in business administration from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in Calgary, Canada.

He also helped launch Erie's first Afghan Community Center, which opened in December in the 4800 block of Peach Street. Taraky is the center's president/CEO.

The Erie Times-News recently sat down with Taraky to discuss his new position and how he plans to approach it. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Building relationships

Question: What do you consider crucial in terms of helping people resettle here in Erie, and getting them to trust/accept assistance from local government?

Answer: The immigrants and new American families here need government resources. My job here will be to help the new Americans in different ways. Like civic engagement, connecting immigrants and refugees with the long-term residents of Erie. For example we're working to (showcase) refugees' culture, food and the skills they have in terms of jobs at different exhibitions and events. We will have orientations for the new American community, working with other organizations, to show them what city government is all about and the ways we can help them feel more comfortable in the community. We have a lot of refugees who have much to offer to Erie.

Employment a focus

What other things do you want to focus on in this new position?

Employment would be one. Refugees and new Americans need to work and want to work. We can connect them with different organizations and businesses for employment. There are grants available for refugees and immigrants so they can start a business and I can help them as part of my job to apply for the grants. Immigrants and refugees are already contributing a lot to the economy of Erie. They are bringing new services to Erie, new food, new products. We want that to continue.

The challenges of resettlement

What makes you a good fit for this job?

I myself am a refugee. I know the process of coming to the United States from another country and it's not easy when you leave your country for a different environment and culture. I understand the language barriers and the legal adjustments. Getting employment right away might not be easy. These are some of the the challenges that refugees face and it takes time overcome them. That's what motivates me to help other refugees. I want to help them navigate those challenges.

'Cultural orientations'

Tell me about something else that you're working on.

I'm working with Erie's police department and Erie's fire department to have cultural orientations with the immigrant and refugee communities so they can learn more about what law enforcement is in this country. It is not scary. Law enforcement is helping people here. They can explain that if you're in trouble, you can call 9-1-1. My goal is to have these on a monthly basis and even invite code enforcement or (other) emergency responders.

Welcoming new Americans

If someone asked you why city government needs a liaison to the new American community, what would be your response?

Erie welcomes new immigrants and new refugees. We need new people in the city for employment, people who bring new skills and culture and experience to Erie. We have a lot of refugees in Erie and we need to welcome them and help them be comfortable here.

Contact Kevin Flowers at kflowers@timesnews.com. Follow him on X at @ETNflowers.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: A Q&A with Saeed Taraky, Erie's new immigrant/refugee liaison