Written by Tanya Vitusagavulu, LSSNCA Maryland Director, Refugee and Immigrant Services
Nesar Anwari is the Employment Program and Business Engagement Manager in our Maryland resettlement office. Originally joining LSSNCA in April 2019, as the Business Engagement Liaison, Nesar played a significant role in transforming Maryland’s employment programs. Because of his success, he transitioned into his current role as Employment Program and Business Engagement Manager in October 2019 to oversee all of the employment programs.
Born in Kabul, Afghanistan, Nesar has used his own cultural and professional expertise to lead his team in ensuring refugee clients, majority being Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders, receive the culturally appropriate guidance and assistance they need to succeed in the US.
Known for his polite and kind demeanor, Nesar is always willing to help and assist the MD team in meeting clients’ needs – whether it be providing in-person or telephonic interpretation for busy case managers, picking up clients from the airport, assisting with apartment set-ups, and conducting client home visits.
Nesar’s contributions to the agency and our mission extend beyond the employment programs scope. He is a true servant leader and has been at the forefront of coordinating donation drives for LSSNCA clients with the Islamic community in Maryland. Nesar has spearheaded outreach to and the increased involvement of the Islamic community, our prominent partners being the Montgomery County Muslim Foundation (MCMF) and The Giving Foundation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Nesar led efforts to distribute groceries to 20 families at the Diyanet Center of America in preparation for the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan the weekend before it started. He coordinated the transportation of clients from their homes to the Diyanet center to pick up gift cards and buy groceries. In addition, on April 24 and April 26, LSSNCA in partnership with the MCMF provided gift cards of up to $100 to 60 families to purchase groceries from the Capital Halal Market which was a source of blessing for many of our clients observing Ramadan. Nesar was in the store on both days with donors ensuring that the right clients were picking up their allocation of gift cards and groceries.
These are just some of the many examples of how Nesar goes over and beyond in helping our refugee community. The MD team is grateful to have an awesome team member and true humanitarian who exemplifies leadership, commitment, and dedication to those in need. Nesar always makes his team members laugh and is happiest when spending time with his two kids, especially his daughter who he proudly tells team members is his favorite!
* We would like to point out that we usually don’t write an entire blog on our Heroes of the Month but rather feature them only on social media. However, given the tremendous good work and selflessness of our May hero, we couldn’t merely capture him and his work in a social media post. Nesar Anwari has stepped up to provide for our clients in need during the health crisis and he remains a joy to work with. Further, Nesar was recently awarded the designation of Peace Ambassador for Afghanistan with the Global Peace Chain. From all of LSSNCA, congratulations and thank you, Nesar!
Serve Boldly 
Thank you so much. I’m surprised and speechless, but this all wouldn’t have been possible without Tanya’s great leadership and every team member’s cooperation and contribution. So the credit goes to the amazing team members!