LSG Launches First-Ever LSG Kids Club

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20150714_052319 On July 13, 2015, Lutheran Services of Georgia launched its first-ever season of LSG Kids Club! LSG Kids Club is a summer program that aims to promote healing, adjustment, and confidence-building for recently resettled refugee kids who have experienced trauma. The program provides a fun and therapeutic introduction to life in Georgia, along with giving kids an opportunity to make new friends.

Eleven children and teens participated in the first week of the four-week LSG Kids Club. They came from four different countries--Somalia, Burma, Bhutan, and Nepal--and spoke three different languages--Somali, Nepalese, and Burmese. The kids enjoyed activities and field trips including yoga, pet therapy, skills-focused games and physical activities, and more.

LSG is partnering with an growing list of community members and organizations to make this program possible. Current partners include:

  • Raksha, Inc, a Georgia-based nonprofit organization for the South Asian community. Special thanks goes to Niekachi Nwogo for conducting therapy sessions throughout the program.
  • Funda Yilmaz, LPC and yoga instructor who specializes in trauma therapy and healing through Grounded Yoga
  • Atlanta Pet Partners, an organization that provided pet therapy
  • Living Grace Lutheran Church for hosting the program

LSG also thanks our volunteers and interpreters.

  • Padam Rai, Nepali Interpreter
  • Abdulrahman, Somali Interpeter
  • Kathryn Farmer, Dance Instructor
  • Pam Amy-Cupp, Camp Counselor
  • Annie Goodman, Camp Counselor
  • Matthew Johnson, Camp Counselor
  • Jessie Burnette, Camp Coordinator and LSG staff member
  • Melanie Johnson, LSG staff member and volunteer

LSG Kids Club is supported, in part, through a grant from the Lutheran Services for Children Endowment at the ELCA Foundation. For more photos from the Club, visit our Facebook page. To learn more about LSG Kids Club, contact Coordinator Jessie Burnette at jburnette@lsga.org or (706) 889-3348.