Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI) held a holiday open house last night to celebrate our new refugee community services program. It was wonderful to be in one room with so many people who are passionate about the plight and future of some of our newest neighbors!
It was an event to introduce the community to the new program; a time to say thank you to our donors, volunteers and other partners. It was also a time to showcase the Refugee Connection Center; a welcoming place for refugees to attend classes, meet with mentors, and other community activities. Even better, it’s a place for refugee community leaders to gather and collaborate on resources.
Collaboration is key to the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines deciding to fund the new program with a $25,000 grant. Dan Raedeker, community investment associate for the Foundation, spoke at the event about the incredible potential of the collaborative model in the program, even mentioning the possibility of LSI’s refugee services program as being a model for nonprofits nationwide. Pretty great compliment from an organization that knows their stuff!
In a nutshell, the program has four basic components:
- Connecting elderly refugees to community resources
- Providing employment readiness services for individuals facing high barriers to employment
- Providing a platform for providers and refugee community leaders to collaborate on improving access to resources
- Providing English as a Second Language (ESL) classes
Why this matters: As a nation, we have committed to welcoming people with refugee status. What have refugees gone through? If you can imagine waking up one morning and your whole world has changed: A party of power has invaded your town; members of your family have been killed; you can not go to the local police for your help; and you must leave as soon as possible for your safety. You may make it to a refugee camp, where you can not work. If you are a woman, chances are you will probably be raped. You will most likely have been separated from your family.
If you’re lucky, one day you may have the opportunity to be resettled anywhere across the globe (many refugees have been in refugee camps for decades). If you do have this opportunity, you will arrive with what few belongings you’ve managed to keep with you, and you’ll be inserted into a completely foreign culture. You don’t speak the language, you don’t know anyone and you have three months to find a job, a home and become self-sufficient.
At LSI, we’ve been involved in refugee resettlement for decades. At last, we have the opportunity to provide services that turn a three-month period into a shared journey of hope. With our new program, we aren’t limited to only three months. We walk hand-in-hand with our new neighbors and collaborate to make this new life a good one.
Our refugee services staff can explain better, of course, but the gist is that once again, our staff came up with a way to fill the gap in resources and reality. You can see the pride in these pictures from the open house!
Left to right: LSI president and CEO Doug Johnson, former Governor Robert Ray, LSI refugee services director Jill Steucker
Left to right: Jill Steucker, LSI refugee services director, Dan Raedeker, Community Foundation of Great Des Moines community investment associate, Doug Johnson, LSI president and CEO
