Refugee and Immigration Services

Resettlement and Case Management

Sponsorship

Volunteer Network

The Refugee and Immigration Services of LSS

The Refugee and Immigration Employment and Training Program

More Information and Links

Refugee and Immigration Services

The Lutheran Church has been serving the world's refugees of all races and creeds since World War II, and assisting immigrants for over a century. LSS continues that tradition here in New England with refugee resettlement and support services in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. LSS works in partnership with Episcopal Migration Ministries in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. In New Hampshire, Church World Service is also a collaborator in our refugee services.

Resettlement and Case Management

LSS serves the refugees and immigrants Services population in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire with a wide range of services that enable them to become self-sufficient and productive citizens of their new country. These services may include -

• Orientation and integration into American life
• Arrangements for housing, health care and education
• Assistance with family reunification
• Assistance with basic needs including translations
• Guidance and support toward self reliance
• Transitional cash assistance while looking for employment
• Support in accessing other services
• Resettlement services last for ninety days. Case management services may last up to eighteen months. Education Services
• ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Language): basic ESOL classes as well as a more intensive curriculum to prepare refugees for employment.
• Post placement English: "kitchen table" classes on evenings and weekends to prepare refugees for self-sufficiency.
• Workplace education: language classes conducted in the workplace.
• Citizenship: the ultimate goal of all resettlement - to prepare refugees for American citizenship.
• Civics and literacy education: A grant from the U.S. Department of Education funds this special program to assist the Massachusetts foreign-born refugee population towards full participation in the democratic process at the local level.
• Health Education: The Health Education Project provides technical assistance to teachers to incorporate health topics such as food and nutrition, personal hygiene, smoking cessation, safety hazards in the workplace, stress management, health care from the family perspective, and accessing health care services. Health education extends more deeply into the community through linkages with public school health educators, community health centers and other adult education providers.
• Special Programs: education programs targeted for the elderly, disabled or other special needs. Employment Services
• Refugees and Immigrants job Services: employment help for refugees
• "Work 2000": a federally subsidized employment program for neediest, hardest to place refugees
• Targeted Assistance Grant training programs (TAG): skill specific training for careers as home health aide, carpenter, plumber, translator and truck driving
• Post employment vocational skills training: a continuing training program for refugees and immigrants who are already employed in computer literacy, medical transcription and machine shop.
• The Citizenship and Democracy Education Project. This program is open to refugees and immigrants following five years of legal permanent residence in this country and prepares them for citizenship through instruction as well as involvement in the democratic process through community activities.

Back to the top

Sponsorship

Sponsorship is an opportunity to provide shelter and hope for refugees and immigrants when they start their new life in America. Through sharing your time, talents and gifts, as an individual or group (faith-based or secular), you can enable refugees and immigrants to become independent and self-sufficient. Sponsorship is a willingness to open our hearts and our community, to share our freedoms and our lives in a manner that will be rewarding to you and those you serve.

Back to the top

Volunteer Network

Many refugees and immigrants that come to our country have left everything behind and support is needed in all aspects of their life. Volunteers can provide for those needs through: welcoming, arranging for housing, providing and coordinating donations of food, clothing, furniture and household goods, pick-up and delivery of donations, providing transportation for appointments and errands, serving as interpreter or English tutor, mentoring, assisting with office work or just offering your friendship.