Who We Are

Our Mission

The SAFA Network is a human-centered nonprofit dedicated to helping Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) and newly arrived individuals of all backgrounds build a foundation for a fresh start. Our primary goal is to evacuate SIV families to third countries for interviews and ultimately relocate them to safety in the United States. Rooted in community and compassion, we focus on reunifying families and walking alongside newcomers during their first 90 days—ensuring access to housing, healthcare, education, and essential services. Our support doesn’t stop there; through culturally inclusive education, job readiness programs, and community engagement, we work to uplift voices, foster belonging, and empower individuals to thrive in their new home. Guided by the spirit of West Virginia, we believe that country roads are more than a place—they are a promise: a journey toward belonging, connection, and the shared home we create together as neighbors.

Our Story

We founded The SAFA Network to fill a critical gap in support for SIV families and refugees—those who risked everything for the U.S.—who now face daunting challenges evacuating to safety and navigating their first days in America. Too many are left behind or arrive without a roadmap. Support and Assistance for Fresh Starts and Awareness—that’s what we are driven to support and the meaning behind The SAFA Network.

As a newly formed nonprofit, we are in the process of applying for 501(c)(3) status to formalize our charitable mission and expand our impact with full transparency and accountability.

BOARD MEMBERS

President

D. Caskey

Active Duty Army pilot.

Vice President

Aline Bishazi

Aline Bishazi has extensive experience in refugee resettlement, having held management-level positions across multiple programs and agencies. Her leadership and deep understanding of resettlement services greatly enhance our mission to support SIVs and newly arrived families of all backgrounds.

Secretary

Alexandra Kolker

Alexandra Kolker serves as Board Secretary for The SAFA Network, bringing strong organizational skills and a keen attention to detail. She has consulted for Welcome Corps as an application screener, where she applied her expertise in program evaluation and administrative processes to support refugee resettlement efforts.

Treasurer

Michelle Payne Whitlow

Michelle Payne Whitlow, our board treasurer, brings valuable international experience from her work with American Councils in Moldova. Her financial insight and global perspective strengthen our organization’s governance and strategic direction.

Founder

Kaitlyn Garlick is the founder/executive director of The SAFA Network and a dedicated refugee resettlement advocate with over four years of experience in the field. She played a key role in launching a Virtual Reception and Placement program and has worked with nonprofits across the U.S. and Tajikistan. Proficient in Persian language and with a childhood deeply rooted in West Virginia, Kaitlyn founded The SAFA Network to bridge her two worlds—evacuating those who risked everything to support U.S. missions abroad, and fostering cultural understanding and inclusion in West Virginia and beyond.