Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, recently visited the Southern California Welcome Project, a key program of the Archewell Foundation that she co-founded with Prince Harry. The Welcome Project, launched in 2023, aims to provide support and create a safe space for women who have recently resettled in the United States from Afghanistan. Inspired by her previous work with the Hubb Community Kitchen in the U.K., Meghan joined the Southern California Welcome Project for an evening of cooking and storytelling.
The event, in collaboration with The Archewell Foundation's partner organization, Mina's List, brought together a group of 15 women to cook traditional Afghan food, including dishes like Ashak and Mantuu. Following the cooking session, the women sat down to share their personal stories and discuss the support they find within this intergenerational group of women.
Mina's List has been working with women activists and political leaders in Afghanistan since 2014, advocating for greater gender equality. In 2021, the nonprofit helped evacuate and resettle over 2,000 Afghan women and families, with many finding new homes in Southern California. The partnership between Mina's List and The Archewell Foundation aims to provide community and support for these remarkable women as they begin to rebuild their lives in the U.S.
While this update on Meghan's outing may be news to royal watchers, the launch of the Welcome Project was previously announced in the Archewell Foundation's annual Impact Report in December 2023. The Welcome Project focuses on women-led programming to help build inclusive and connected communities for recently resettled Afghan women. Currently, there are 11 active Welcome Projects across the United States, offering various activities such as sewing, art, hiking, swimming, photography, storytelling, and cooking.
The Welcome Projects are located in Oakland, California; Orange County, California; Missoula, Montana; San Antonio, Texas; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Washington, D.C.; South Bend, Indiana; Clarkston, Georgia; Lynn, Massachusetts; Sterling, Virginia; and Arlington, Virginia. Meghan's visit to the Southern California Welcome Project aligns with the organization's efforts in that region.
The Archewell Foundation initiated The Welcome Project after recognizing the intense social isolation experienced by women, particularly those who have gone through the resettlement process. Through focused programming, the project aims to provide critical resources, educational opportunities, workforce development, employment support, and entrepreneurship opportunities to these women.
As a nod to Meghan's previous involvement with the Hubb Community Kitchen, food plays a significant role in the Welcome Project. Alongside individual project activities, 'Welcome Dinners' are organized to bring participants together over a meal, fostering a sense of belonging and community.
In 2018, Meghan Markle collaborated with a group of women who had suffered from the Grenfell Tower tragedy at the Hubb Community Kitchen. This kitchen was established in 2017 at the Al Manaar Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre in London to provide a support network for survivors of the devastating fire that claimed 72 lives. Inspired by the women's resilience and the kitchen's impact, Meghan played a pivotal role in the release of the cookbook titled 'Together: Our Community Cookbook.' The profits from the cookbook were used to support the Hubb Community Kitchen, enabling it to operate more frequently and expand its outreach efforts within the community.
Even after leaving the U.K., Meghan has maintained a connection with the women of the Hubb Community Kitchen. Whether it's joining video calls from her California home in 2020 or sending a voice message on the fifth anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire in 2022, her commitment to supporting these women and their community remains steadfast.
In addition to Meghan's visit, the Archewell Foundation website received a significant update. The revamped site now includes features highlighting various programs, their impact, and regular updates. The mission of the foundation is emphasized, with quotes on the landing page reminding visitors of the power of community and the potential for collective change.
The visit to the Southern California Welcome Project reflects Meghan Markle's ongoing dedication to supporting women and creating spaces for them to connect, heal, and thrive. Through the Archewell Foundation, Meghan and Prince Harry continue to make a positive impact by using their platform and resources to uplift and empower marginalized communities.
