“Within Reach.”  Such a powerful message; and such an inspiring story.  On August 21, 2021, as the U.S. Air Force executed the largest non-combat evacuation effort in history, a touching story of a little girl named “Reach” emerged.

The baby was born to an Afghan mother, who went into labor while aboard a C-17 aircraft flying from Qatar to Ramstein Air Base in Germany.  According to Gen. Tod Wolters, the commander of U.S. European Command, the pilots, upon hearing the mother was in danger, took the aircraft into a descent in order to increase the air pressure “which helped stabilize and save the mother’s life.”  To pay tribute to the life-saving effort, the Afghan parents decided to name their baby girl Reach as a tribute to the call sign of the flight, “Reach 828.”  

Despite such a beautiful story of humanity, the reality is that life will not be easy for baby Reach’s family and many other Afghan immigrants who settle in the United States.  As of early September, UNICEF estimated there were approximately 300 unaccompanied minors among the 34,000 Afghans who fled on American planes.  U.S. Health & Human Services takes custody of unaccompanied minors until they are matched with a parent or legal guardian, but for many children the experience is traumatizing.

As a way of supporting the Afghan refugee resettlement for adults and children alike, Mission Entrepreneur, a website & branding resource for women-owned businesses, will be selling “Within Reach” t-shirts this November.  Mission Entrepreneur is founded by retired US Air Force officer, Jen Griswold.  Griswold and her company run by 7 women (all moms) love the idea that we can grow women in business & give back at the same time.  All proceeds from the shirt sales will be donated to Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (LSSNCA), which provides community services “including foster care for unaccompanied refugee minors and adoptions services.”  As Griswold says, “We want every little girl or boy that steps foot in the United States, including our own children, to know that with belief in each other, and a little hard work, anything they can dream is WITHIN REACH.”