by John Reid

“Those who are the happiest are those who do the most for others.” Booker T. Washington

Being able to meet the need is a core value in the Zargarpur family. This week, they celebrate the next step in service as the grand re-opening of their non-profit organization One Community Social Services in Woodbridge. Recently, we spoke with one of its founders, Maggie Zargarpur about the importance of OCSS to the community.

Immediately upon hearing about Operation Allies Welcome, the government program helping Afghan refugees to get settled in the United States since 2021, they immediately stepped in to help.: “I firmly believe in the [Shirley Chisholm] quote ‘service is the rent you pay for your time on this Earth,’ she said.”

“It’s not about having people say, ‘Oh, you’re being a good person. I think if you see a need, you just meet it.”

Maggie reflected on what it meant to her father, Yaqub, who was a refugee himself.

“It has been an incredible full-circle moment for my dad. To see that 40 years ago, he was a refugee himself, and to help so many people, it’s amazing.”

Alongside her father, her sister Yasmeen, is also an OCSS founder. So, did they expect this growth so quickly?

“None of us knew how it would grow, but we just stepped up the moment those planes landed, and we got people what they needed,” she responded.

“The interest grew into an opportunity. I sat down with my dad and said we had everything we needed and to grow with it.”

However, once the work waned, there was still more to be done, and Maggie talked about seeing this being a permanent service. “Things were winding down with the refugee assistance, but we saw there was an opportunity to continue the work.”

Other organizations were crucial in the process as well, starting with the Muslim Association of Virginia and everyday citizens. “In the very beginning, it was 24/7 crisis center help. My dad would be on Zoom meetings from 7 in the morning until 2 in the morning for months. We all chimed in where we needed to, and it was many people coming together. There were so many non-profit organizations helping, from doctors, lawyers, and professional groups coming together to figure out where they could help, whether it was translation services, financial help or just donating goods and supplies.”

Maggie stated that it wasn’t just within their own community.

“Outside the Afghan community, there were those who would offer after hours support, pro bono work. This way families could get emergency dental work, glasses, and other medical services. It was one of the incredible experiences I’ve ever seen.”

What was it like making the preparations for the re-opening at the warehouse? “When things are out of the headlines, it doesn’t mean the work is done. The MAV and others have volunteered their time, as well as other churches and communities has supported as well.”

“What’s most important is that the refugees are helping as well. When they came here, all they had was the shirt on their back, and they are assisting their fellow refugees in getting what they need. It’s very humbling.”

As they prepare for Wednesday’s grand re-opening, what will it look like going forward?

“I would say that we’re going to keep the donation center to where we can serve more people. The social services portion will meet to help fill in the gaps. We want to have that cultural competence to fill those gaps, whether it’s food stamps, ESOL classes, or whatever they need to be prepared for what is ahead.”

On Wednesday, March 22, the grand re-opening will take place at 2700 Potomac Mills Circle from 3:30pm – 5pm. To find out more, visit their Facebook page.