LSG Launches First-Ever LSG Kids Club

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.

Refugee and Immigration Services Hosts Breakfast for Interpreters

Lutheran Services of Georgia's Refugee and Immigration Services department recently hosted a breakfast to show appreciation for our interpreters. LSG could not provide quality services to clients from all over the world without our skilled and knowledgeable interpreters.

Case managers, interns, and five of LSG's interpreters came together to enjoy breakfast and share tips on how to work better together. The interpreters included speakers of Burmese, Amharic, Tigrinya, Arabic, and Somali. RIS plans to host several interpreter breakfasts throughout the year.

LSG thanks all our interpreters for their hard work and commitment to welcoming refugees and immigrants.

Interview with Noor & Nurul

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Lutheran Services of Georgia.

Noor and Nurul are refugees from Burma who arrived in the U.S. in March 2015 and were resettled through LSG's Savannah office. LSG staff member Amelia interviewed them about their experiences as refugees in the United States.

Amelia: Why did you leave Burma?

Noor & Nurul: There was a lot of fighting between the Rakhine (Buddhists) and Rohingya (Muslims). Because Burma is a Buddhist country, the government would not provide the Rohingya Muslims with any support or help, and this was bad because the Rakhine were not good to our people. In our town, the Rohingya were being killed and our villages were being burned. As Rohingya, we feared for our lives. If we were caught by the Rakhine people, we could be put in jail or killed for no reason. It was not safe for the Rohingya because the Burmese government does not want Muslims in their country. Also, the government would not allow us to practice our religion. The government was even saying that the Rohingya are not true citizens of Burma, which is not true. Many generations of Rohingya were born in Burma, but the government says we are from Bangladesh.

There is no future for Rohingya people in Burma. We are not recognized as citizens, so there is no hope for a better education or a better future.

*****

Amelia: How has LSG helped you with moving to the United States?

Noor & Nurul: LSG has helped us with everything! They have helped us find a new home and find a job. We have learned so much from LSG, and they have helped us in so many ways, to get food and to go to a doctor. We thank LSG a lot for everything they have done for us.

*****

Amelia: Where do you work?

Noor & Nurul: A local concrete company

*****

Amelia: What problems have you faced since moving here?

Noor & Nurul: No problems at all! We are very happy living in the U.S. We are not afraid of living in America. We are afraid of the Burmese government, but not the U.S. Government. Everything in America is freedom. When we first moved here, LSG helped us with food and rent and we did not have to worry. And we quickly found a job and were able to make money, so we are now able to take care of ourselves.

*****

Amelia: What is your favorite thing about living in Savannah?

Noor & Nurul: We like all of America! We like the old city feeling about Savannah. The people are very nice and everyone has been so good to us. We have not found any bad people. It is also not too cold in Savannah and we like the heat.

*****

Amelia: What are your favorite things to do for fun?

Noor & Nurul: Speak with friends, study English, ride our bikes, and homework

*****

Amelia: What are your dreams for the future?

Noor & Nurul: Our main dreams for the future are to be good people. We want to go to school, we want to study English and improve our English. Right now we do not have any specific ideas on what our dreams for the future are. Maybe to own our own business and start a family.

*****

Amelia: What would you like people in Savannah to know about being a refugee?

Noor & Nurul: People should know that our past lives were full of fear and problems; we could not live in freedom. But now that we are in the U.S., we have freedom, and we do not have fear like we did in Burma. When refugees come to America, they have much more hope for a better future.

Noor: I do have one thing to ask. I appreciate the U.S. government helping me and my friends get to America from Sri Lanka. But I would like to appeal to the U.S. government and UNHCR to please help the other Rohingya who have no place to sleep and live. Please help them, they have nothing. The U.S. government is the leader, and they can help.

*****

Amelia: We are happy that your friend is coming to Savannah. What reasons did you tell him to move here for?

Nurul: I wanted our friend to move to Savannah because we like it so much, and we just knew that he would also like it. He can get help with finding a job, and even work with us. We know that we can help him learn about life in Savannah so that he will be happy!

LSG thanks Noor & Nurul for sharing their story. To learn more about refugees in Burma/Myanmar, click here. Contact support Lauren Cruickshank (Savannah) at lcruickshank@lsga.org or Melanie Johnson (Atlanta) at mjohnson@lsga.org to learn how you can support refugees in the U.S.

Nur Abdi Attends Migrant & Refugee Leadership Academy in D.C.

From June 16-18, LSG staff member and former refugee Nur Abdi traveled to Washington, D.C. to participant in the 2015 Migrant & Refugee Leadership Academy with Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS). The Migrant & Refugee Leadership Academy is a three-day leadership training and advocacy event for current and former refugees. Participants come from all over the country to build their advocacy skills and to visit legislators on Capitol Hill.  Below, Nur reflects on his experience........

Describe your experience at the Migrant & Refugee Leadership Academy. Which parts were most powerful for you and why?

Nur: My trip to Baltimore and DC to participate in this year's Migrant and Leadership Academy reminded me of the passion that was always within me to fight for refugee and immigrant rights. It built my confidence in telling my story and it showed me how much impact and difference I can make by sharing my experience. I started building a network of people that share those experiences and had the opportunity to speak to government representatives who have the power to make the changes for which we are fighting. The Academy also provided me with tools to take back to my community and to apply my advocacy efforts on the local level.

What did you learn about advocacy and refugees during the Academy?

Nur: During my advocacy, I simply told my story. I told how I was resettled in Clarkston, Georgia, through Lutheran Services of Georgia. How I immediately began using my language skills to interpret for other refugees and LSG staff during cultural orientation and the Match Grant program. How with the help of LSG staff I found my first job at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport within my first two months in the U.S. I told them how I was on food stamps and other benefits within a short period of time and how I have never been on food stamps since. I told my experience as a refugee and how it inspired me to seek out opportunities to continue serving refugee populations and how I recently became a Reception and Placement Case Manager at LSG. I shared with them that 80% of refugees resettled in Georgia are able to find work and become financially self-sufficient within 180 days after their arrival. I told them that refugees are an asset to this beautiful country.

How do you hope to use what you learned in D.C. to support your work with refugees in Georgia?

Nur: Clarkston, a small city northeast of Atlanta, Georgia, is the home of many refugees. Approximately 2,ooo refugees are resettled in Clarkston each year. As a member of the community and also R&P Case Manager I have a great connection with community leaders and we all have one common goal: to build welcoming communities by serving, empowering, and advocating for refugees and migrants. Being part of the Migrant and Refugee Leadership Academy, I have learned to expand my scope by advocating for refugees and migrants at a higher level.

LSG is excited to welcome Nur back and to see how he uses his advocacy skills to support refugees throughout Georgia. 

LSG Celebrates World Refugee Day with Breaking Bread and Building Bridges Potluck

 

On Sunday, June 14, Lutheran Services of Georgia celebrated World Refugee Day with the 2nd Annual Breaking Bread and Building Bridges Potluck Dinner at Rock of Ages Lutheran Church. Participants engaged in guided conversations around the table, listened to clips of refugee stories recorded by StoryCorps, and enjoyed a delicious meal.

This year, LSG introduced the Bridge Awards, intended to honor those who work to build bridges between people from many cultures. LSG congratulates the recipients of this year's Bridge Awards.

Refugee Storytellers: Refugees received Bridge Awards for sharing their stories with LSG through StoryCorps.

• Jules Gakuru (Democratic Republic of Congo)
• Gashore Nizeyimana (Democratic Republic of Congo)
• Nebi Germay (Eritrea)
• Muhyadin Kalib (Somalia)
• Bal Dahal (Bhutan)

Volunteers: LSG also gave out Bridge Awards to exceptional volunteers.

• Jenelle Holmes: Jenelle is a Emory/Candler School of Theology volunteer who served as a refugee family mentor and assistant in the Extended Cultural Orientation class. She lives with her family in Azealia Village, her church's transitional housing for refugee families.
• Ed Aebischer: Ed  is the co-leader (with Mark Olson) of the Refugee Resettlement team at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection in Marietta which partnered with LSG to resettle two families in 2014. He is a regular Friends in Hope Visitor to immigrants in detention in Georgia and a Careers & Connections mentor.
• Mark Olson: Mark is the co-leader (with Ed Aebischer) of the Refugee Resettlement team at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection in Marietta which partnered with LSG for the resettlement of two refugee families in 2014. He's exploring a new partnership between LSG and Rock of Ages Lutheran Church. He serves as an Employment Coach with refugee employment and a Careers & Connections mentor.
• Carmelle Nitereka: Carmelle was LSG's Episcopal Service Corps volunteer in 2014-2015 working with the Match Grant early self-sufficiency program. She's a Friends in Hope visitor to immigrants in detention.
• Pastor Randy Palm: Pr. Randy is the Pastor of Rock of Ages Lutheran Church, LSG's "home away from home" near Clarkston. Pr. Randy is a strong friend and ROA is a strong church partner for LSG--opening their doors to LSG and our refugee friends in so many ways. ROA houses the Refugee Clothing closet and allows LSG to host events large and small, including Breaking Bread and Building Bridges.

Melanie Johnson, LSG's Program Manager for Volunteers, Congregation, and Community Engagement commented, "The best thing about Breaking Bread and Building Bridges are the smiling faces of refugees and community friends as they share conversation around the table while new friendships are forged and an appreciation for cultural diversity is cultivated."

LSG thanks all our supporters, attendees, and clients who made this event a success. To see photos from the event, visit our Facebook page.

World Refugee Day

By Emily Laney, Atlanta Program Manager for Refugee Services

Saturday, June 20th, is World Refugee Day

All around the world, there will be events, festivals, awareness campaigns, celebrations, and times of contemplation. World Refugee Day is a time to celebrate refugees and to reflect on the difficulties they face. It's a day to advocate for peace to end the violence and persecution that so many people experience.

Working with refugees is one of the most rewarding and challenging things I've done in my human services career. It is challenging to work with and serve people who have been through so many trials. The fabric of our clients' life stories are woven with tragedy and loss. The sheer magnitude of fully understanding the experiences of refugees can feel overwhelming.

But it is so worth it.

A couple months ago, I was reminded why I enjoy working with refugees. LSG hosted a StoryCorps listening session. Five of our clients recorded short segments of their migration stories and experiences in their home countries. A few weeks after the recordings concluded, Atlanta staff came together to hear some of their stories. Many of us found our eyes brimming with tears listened to the stories of clients from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afghanistan, Eritrea, and Burma. The hope and determination of these incredible people was humbling and inspiring. As I sat there in a room of LSG staff, I was reminded once again why we in Refugee and Immigration Services do what we do. We do it for new beginnings and the promise of a bright future. We do it for refugees.

Refugees matter. They comprise a small percentage of our immigrant population in the U.S. but it would benefit all of us to seek them out and form friendships with them. They work long hours at incredibly difficult jobs just to make ends meet. They are patriotic and proud to live in the U.S. They pay taxes and save money to open businesses in their community. They remind me of my own ancestors in many ways. My family is an eclectic mix of many different nationalities, most of whom immigrated to the U.S. to build a better life for their families. Some fled persecution, famine, or other difficulties. They worked hard to start fresh and to create their own 'American Dream.

We are a nation of immigrants, and refugees are a beautiful picture of what makes our country great. Amidst the busyness of life, the stacks of paperwork and the struggles that come from walking the journey with refugees during their first days in America, I am reminded of this picture. Refugees matter. They are an important part of our country, and I am so proud, humbled, and honored to know many of them.

If you'd like to get to know a refugee family, please contact me at elaney@lsga.org. LSG has multiple opportunities to support and learn from refugees. We'd love to have you join us in welcome.

Careers and Connections - Grace & Ifrah

Grace Hawkins and Ifrah Jimale sit across from each other, sharing a home-cooked meal. The food is simple, but delicious, and includes vegetables grown in Grace’s sprawling front-yard garden. The two women chat happily, swapping stories and gardening tips. They met only a few months ago, yet they are already completely at ease in each other’s presence.

Grace and Ifrah both participated in Careers and Connections, Lutheran Services of Georgia’s employment mentoring program that pairs professionals with refugees looking to pursue careers in the United States. Launched in 2014 in partnership with Higher, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services’ national employment initiative, Careers and Connections has already provided support for 30 refugees. Careers and Connections aims to accomplish two goals: to support long-term career advancement for refugees and to deepen social connections between refugees and their communities.

Originally from Somalia, Ifrah arrived in Minnesota as a teenager in 1998. She was immediately placed in jail because she didn’t have all of her immigration documents in order. After her release, she spent the next 15 years navigating U.S. immigration courts before she finally received her citizenship status. Ifrah completed high school and studied journalism in college. She worked as a reporter and ran her own blog.

In 2013, Ifrah moved to Georgia where “I felt like a brand new refugee. I came here and I was just lost.” She struggled to find a job in her field and missed the support of the Somalian community she had left behind in Minnesota. After discovering Lutheran Services of Georgia through an online search, she began volunteering with LSG’s Extended Cultural Orientation program. There, she met Melanie Johnson, LSG’s Program Manager for Volunteer, Congregation, and Community Engagement. Melanie asked Ifrah about her dreams for the future, beyond simply working to survive. Ifrah realized that she wanted to write and publish a book about her refugee experience.

Melanie reached out to Grace Hawkins, the former Executive Director of the Global Village Project, to serve as Ifrah’s mentor. Before moving to Atlanta, Grace and her husband operated their own writing business in Seattle and published 17 books. Grace has also travel extensively outside of the U.S. During her travels, she witnessed the poverty, political repression, and conflict that drives refugees to flee their countries of origin. Through the Global Village Project, she met several refugees and survivors of traumatic situations. Intrigued by Ifrah’s experience, she agreed to serve as Ifrah’s mentor.

Over the past several months, Grace has assisted Ifrah in editing manuscripts and introduced her to writers and editors throughout Atlanta. However, the two women agree that their friendship goes beyond than the roles of mentor and mentee. Although the three-month-long program is over, they continue to meet regularly, sharing food, knowledge, experiences, stories, and laughter.

Ifrah appreciates her friendship with Grace and credits her Careers and Connections experience with helping her envision her book and build connections in Atlanta. She said, “Careers and Connections is a really good program. It helps with assimilation, because otherwise as an immigrant you’re really cut off. You have walls around you. Careers and Connections was the best decision I’ve made so far in this state. It’s my new anchor in Georgia. I don’t know what I would’ve done if I hadn’t met Grace—she’s literally my 4-1-1.”

Careers and Connections is preparing to launch a new cohort of 30 refugee mentees and mentors. For more information or to participate in the program, contact Melanie Johnson at mjohnson@lsga.org or (678) 696-9619.

Meet the RIS Summer Interns - Part 1

Each summer, Lutheran Services of Georgia's Refugee and Immigration Services department takes on several interns. We're excited to introduce five of our summer interns: Annie Goodman, Kayla Crowell, Onah Melenu, Victoria Shelegina, and Allie Alexander.

Annie Goodman

 

About Annie: Annie Goodman was born in Richmond, Virginia, but spent most of her life in Alpharetta, Georgia. Currently, she lives in Kennesaw with her boyfriend Clint and her two cats, Penny and Olive. Annie is double majoring in Anthropology and Early Childhood Education at Kennesaw State University. Annie loves to play video games, read comics, and is currently working with her boyfriend to renovate their 1960s home. She is also trying her hand at gardening and watercolors.

Annie's Hopes for the Summer: "I have heard nothing but great things about LSG from past interns and I am very excited to be part of it. As a future educator, I want to gain experience in a multicultural environment. In all of the classrooms I have worked in, there are students from all over the world. Not only will I be working to create a welcoming and effective learning environment for all of my students, I will also be establishing positive relationships with my students' parents. I know this experience will help me become a better teacher for my future students."

Kayla Crowell

About Kayla: Kayla is from Powder Springs, Georgia. She's a fourth year student studying French and Spanish at the University of Georgia. In her spare time, Kayla loves to read, travel, and spend time with her friends.

Kayla's Hopes for the Summer: "I decided to intern with LSG because I wanted to gain professional experience and learn more about immigration law while making a positive difference in people's lives. LSG's wide range of services and commitment to welcoming people made it a perfect fit. I hope to improve my language skills and gain a meaningful understanding of how law impacts people, what services are available to them, and how I can pursue a career in this field."

Onah Melanu

About Onah: Onah is from Georgia. She is a graduating senior studying Anthropology at Kennesaw State University. Onah's hobbies include reading, swimming, and cultural community activities.

Onah's Hopes for the Summer: "I enjoy helping others with job placement and acculturation activities. I assist friends and family typically from Africa with understanding American culture and with work. At LSG, I hope to gain more knowledge from other cultures as well as the background activity that goes along with job placement. Upon graduation I plan to obtain an MBA with a concentration in human resource management."

Victoria Shelegina

About Victoria: Originally from Russia, Victoria arrived in the U.S. in September, 2011. Victoria holds a law degree from the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia and is currently a Juris Doctor candidate at Emory University School of Law. Victoria likes to read and to travel.

Victoria's Hopes for the Summer: : "Upon graduation, I look forward to practicing immigration law in the U.S., so I hope to gain professional experience with LSG."

Allie Alexander

About Allie: Allie is a rising junior at Georgia State University studying Public Policy. Her hobbies including horseback riding (particularly barrel racing), reading, traveling, and exploring the city and different cultures.

Allie's Hopes for the Summer: "I've had internships in the past and my experiences have consisted largely of paperwork, faxing, and very little hands-on experience. I wanted to be given responsibility and interact directly with the people that a non-profit serves. I knew that LSG would give me the opportunity to accomplish this. I would like to understand in-depth the challenges and processes that refugees go through as they adjust to life in the U.S. I find it incredible that refugees are able to overcome the extremely adverse circumstances they have faced."

Thank you, Victoria, Annie, Onah, Kayla, and Allie for joining us in welcome this summer! Watch our blog next week to meet the rest of the RIS interns. To learn more about interning with Refugee and Immigration Services, contact Melanie Johnson at mjohnson@lsga.org.

Knitted with Love

Ginny Wold hates to sit with her hands idle. Whenever Ginny has a spare moment, she knits. As her knitting needles clatter away, she makes beautiful blankets, hats, mittens, and scarves that will help keep others warm.

Ginny's love of knitting started while she was in grade school. Her grandmother would knit socks for World War II soldiers on needles that her father made out of metal rods. Ginny learned how to knit then, but didn't start knitting seriously until the early 70s when she decided to make afghans for her entire family. Her knitted winter hats, mittens, and scarves warmed her children and grandchildren through the winter months.

About 15 years ago, Ginny decided to participate in the Mitten Tree at her daughter's church. That was her first foray into knitting for people beyond her family and close circle of friends. Since then, Ginny has knitted baby caps for the hospital, lap robes for nursing homes and homeless shelters, shawls for a police department's elder abuse unit, hats, mittens, and scarves for school kids and adults who walk to work, chemotherapy caps for cancer clinics in Arizona and Georgia, baby blankets for LSG refugee clients and adopted children, and fancy scarves and stoles for Lutheran Services of Georgia fundraisers.

Ginny has no intentions to stop knitting. She said, "I don't like to sit with my hands idle. I receive yarn from family and friends and friends-of-family and family-of-friends. Right now, my craft room is pretty full, but eventually it will all get used and sent off to help keep someone warm."

LSG thanks Ginny Wold for helping keep so many of our clients and supporters warm.

Announcing the 2015 LSG Hunger Walk/Run Champion

Lutheran Services of Georgia is excited to announce the 2015 Champion of LSG's Hunger Walk/Run Church Competition: Trinity Lutheran Church! Trinity raised $11,902 to fight hunger.

Thanks to all who joined LSG in fighting hunger at the 2015 Hunger Walk/Run. LSG had 34 teams participate with 289 walkers and runners. Together, LSG supporters raised over $77,000 for hunger-fighting programs throughout Georgia. LSG appreciates all those who walked, ran, volunteer, or otherwise supported us.

LSG also congratulates the other top finishers in the 2015 LSG Hunger Walk/Run Church Competition. Here are the results:

1) Trinity Lutheran Church (Lilburn) - $11,902 2) Cross of Life Lutheran Church (Roswell) - $8,533 3) St. John's Lutheran Church (Atlanta) - $7,155 4) Price of Peace Lutheran Church (Alpharetta) - $6,260 5) Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (Marietta) - $4,009 6) Grace Lutheran Church (Carrolton) - $3,683.55 7) Epiphany Lutheran Church (Conyers) - $3,306 8) Rivercliff Lutheran Church - $2,735 9) St. Luke's Lutheran Church (Atlanta) - $2,324.90 10) Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (Woodstock) - $1,885

For more photos from the day, including team photos, please visit our Facebook page. Contact Abi Koning, LSG's Communications and Public Relations Manager, at akoning@lsga.org if you would like a photo emailed to you.

LSG is honored to be a beneficiary of the Hunger Walk/Run, a project of the Atlanta Community Food Bank. We appreciate the opportunity to work with them each year on this event. LSG has been a benefiting partner for almost 30 years and we look forward to another great Hunger Walk/Run on March 13, 2016!

Behavioral Health Services Closing in Atlanta

A note from Gary Johnstone, Interim CEO of Lutheran Services of Georgia

It is with sadness and regret that I must inform the Lutheran Services of Georgia family that the Behavioral Health Services program will close on June 30, 2015. Since opening its doors, BHS has served individuals- and their families - who struggled with mental health and substance abuse issues.

The dedicated BHS staff members have faced numerous challenges in their efforts to become accredited and licensed, but through it all, Dr. Lucy Cannon, Dr. Gibson, Alice Camp, and Samantha Eberhardt have worked very hard to make this program a success. Due to unforeseen and insurmountable barriers, the decision has been made to close the program.

BHS has had many successes: they received a three-year CARF Accreditation and were approved to provide services by several third party insurance providers, including Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Aetna, Tri Care, Medicare, FEI Behavioral Health, EAP, and Amerigroup. In addition, they established a sliding-scale fee plan based on income so that they could serve all clients in need.

Dr. Cannon, Director of BHS, and her staff have expressed their pride in being able to serve people from numerous programs within LSG and have felt supported in their efforts. Vice President of Programs Dr. Alie Redd has provided guidance and support during this time and is continuing to support Dr. Cannon during this resolution process.

Thank you, Behavioral Health Services staff, for your dedication to bringing restored hope, transformed lives, and healthy tomorrows to individuals and families throughout Georgia.

Support Newly Arrived Refugees in Atlanta and Savannah

When Mr. T. arrived in Savannah with his wife, teenage son, and baby on the way, he wanted start working immediately. He wanted to build a future for his family that would be better than the life they left behind in Myanmar. However, shortly after his journey to the United States, Mr. T. received devastating news. He was diagnosed with two separate medial conditions, one requiring surgery. Mr T. will not be able to work until he has fully recovered from surgery.

Most refugee families have a little more than a month to secure employment, which helps smooth their transition to economic self-sufficiency. Mr. T.'s medical conditions will delay his ability to work by two months, leaving the family without enough money to pay their rent. To add to their financial stress, Mr. T's wife gave birth one month early, and the family is using most of their financial resources to help support their newborn.

LSG connected the family to community resources that provide medical case management, free medicine, and baby supplies. Our staff has worked tirelessly to ensure that the family is safe and healthy, taking them to and from many doctor's appointments each week. Both parents are eager to work, and their 14-year-old son has asked many times when he can start working to support the family.

Like so many of our clients, Mr T. and his family have a bright future ahead of them, but will need some help along the way. By donating to LSG, you join LSG in giving individuals, children, and families throughout Georgia the support they need to reach happy, healthy futures. Please give today.

Matthew's Story

By Tracie Ball, Senior Program Manager of Specialized Foster Care in Rome

In January 2012, when Matthew was only four years old, he entered Lutheran Services of Georgia's Specialized Foster Care program in Rome. Matthew was diagnosed with a disability, non-verbal, and still in diapers. He also had never been enrolled in school.

After Rome case managers placed Matthew in a LSG foster home, he was immediately enrolled in school. With lots of time and attention from his new foster family, Matthew began speaking and was fully potty trained by the time he was adopted by his forever family in December of 2013.

Matthew is a joyful little boy, and it has been exciting for us to watch his progress. Matthew's foster mother is still in contact with his adoptive mother, who sends pictures of Matthew often. Matthew is thriving in his new adoptive home and has even started talking in full sentences.

LSG is continually recruiting individuals and couples to open their homes up to children in foster care. For more information about foster care or becoming a foster parent with LSG, click here.

Nur Abdi Selected for 2015 Migrant and Refugee Leadership Academy

Nur Abdi, LSG staff member and former refugee, was recently selected to participate in Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service’s 2015 Migrant and Refugee Leadership Academy! Each year, this Academy brings together migrant and refugee leaders to share experiences, connect with each other, and hone skills to co-advocate on issues of importance to both communities.

In 2008, Nur and his sister fled violence and instability in their home country of Somalia. Together, they traveled to India where they lived as refugees. To support himself and his sister, Nur accepted a job with an international organization that operated income generation programs for refugees. Refugees received training in producing items like plates, teacups, and paper that could then be sold for an income. Nur assumed a leadership role with the organization in quality control and program monitoring.

In 2013, after five years in India, Nur was resettled in Atlanta through Lutheran Services of Georgia. He immediately began using his language skills to interpret for other refugees and LSG staff during cultural orientation and the Match Grant program. Within two months, Nur found a job at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Yet Nur’s journey with LSG wasn’t finished. His experiences as a refugee inspired him to seek out opportunities to continue serving refugee populations. In July of 2014, Nur accepted a part-time position as an Administrative Assistant for LSG’s Refugee and Immigration Services department. Three months later, he was promoted to his current position as a full-time Reception and Placement Case Manager.

Nur is excited to attend this year’s Refugee Leadership Academy. “I am very passionate to help refugees and other migrants and I want to be a good role model for others,” he said. “Participating in the 2015 Migrant and Refugee Leadership Academy will be an honor. It will teach me the tools I need in order to continue to advocate for migrants and refugees. I will share my story and the story of other refugees, both those that are here in the United States and those are overseas.”

The 2015 Migrant and Refugee Leadership Academy will be held in Baltimore and Washington D.C. on June 16 through 18. Watch our blog and Crossing Oceans to read Nur’s reflections on his experience after he returns.

LSG's 2014 Annual Report Now Available

Lutheran Services of Georgia's 2014 Annual Report is now available! Our Annual Report features our financial Statement of Activities, our donor list, a letter from our board, stories and statistics about the clients we serve, and other information from fiscal year 2014. Limited hard copies are also available upon request.

Click to download our 2014 Annual Report. Contact Abi Koning at akoning@lsga.org for more information.

Anthony's Big Family

By Micah Bennett Johnson, LSG Case Manager in Rome

Anthony* came to Lutheran Services of Georgia's Specialized Foster Care program as a medically fragile teen. He was falling behind in school and had a known history of behavioral issues. Prior to being placed in foster care, Anthony lived with a caregiver whose old age and personal health issues prevented her from being able to fully provide for Anthony's medical needs.

The Harmon* family welcomed Anthony into their home. With help from LSG's supportive services, they were prepared to work with Anthony to address his behavioral issues and traumatic history. After over two months of support from the Harmon family and LSG's services to address medical and mental health needs, Anthony was progressing medically but still displayed behaviors that his foster family found challenging.

Although the Harmon family cared for Anthony, they realized that their home was not the best fit for Anthony. Anthony had developed close relationships with his foster parents and their extended family, particularly with his foster mother's parents. His foster family and their extended family wanted to support Anthony and to maintain as much continuity in his school, church, mental health and medical providers, caregivers, and friends as possible. LSG identified the foster mother's parents as potential matching family for Anthony. With Anthony's blessing, LSG and Anthony's health providers being working together to move the foster mother's parents through the training and home approval process as quickly as possible.

When Anthony realized that LSG and his foster family were working to support a positive transition for him, his behaviors and disposition improved. Anthony felt that he mattered to this big family, and that they cared enough about him to make sure he was in the best place. The foster family's sensitivity, understanding, and compassion inspired them to think outside the box in order to meet Anthony's needs for stability, permanency, and well-being. As for Anthony, he demonstrates the resilience and hope that so many of us working in the field see in the vulnerable children with whom we work. Anthony is a reminder that, above all, these kids want to be wanted, to be loved, to belong.

For more information about foster care or becoming a foster parent with LSG, click here.

*Names have been changed to protect client confidentiality.

LSG to Host Orientation for Short-Term Foster Care for Unaccompanied Children

Lutheran Services of Georgia (LSG) will host an orientation at the Mike Daniels Recreation Center (LaGrange) on Monday, May 11, 2015 at 6 p.m. for individuals interested in providing short-term foster homes for Unaccompanied Children. The Mike Daniels Recreation Center is located at 1220 Lafayette Parkway, LaGrange, Georgia 30241.

LSG is collaborating with LaGrange area organizations and ministries to create safe, welcoming foster homes for children under the age of 13 who have migrated unaccompanied to the United States. LSG is seeking families in the LaGrange area to foster unaccompanied children for short-term periods until they are united with a family member or approved sponsor in the United States.

Prospective foster families must undergo a three-stage approval process involving orientation, training, and a thorough family assessment. The approval process takes three to four months to complete. Families with one bilingual adult are preferred.

Lutheran Services of Georgia invites interested parties to attend this informational meeting for more information on foster care as a compassionate and necessary response to the crisis of unaccompanied children. To register for the upcoming orientation and for further details, contact Gayle Cruz at gcruz@lsga.org. Click here for more information about unaccompanied children.

Ashley Advocates at the AILA National Day of Action

 

By Ashley LaRiccia, Equal Justice Works Fellow , sponsored by McGuireWoods and Dupont, placed with Lutheran Services of Georgia

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Lutheran Services of Georgia.

On April 16, 2015, I traveled to Washington, DC for the American Immigration Lawyer Association’s (AILA) National Day of Action. As part of a team of over 300 immigration lawyers from across the United States, we made it our mission to remind Congress that America needs immigration reform. Our day started off with breakfast and a speech from Congresswoman Lofgren of California, an immigrant ally. We then broke off into our teams, and I along with eight other members of the Georgia/Alabama Chapter of AILA attended appointments with Georgia legislators and their staff.

Our message to the legislators was and continues to be that America needs a better immigration system. We stressed that immigration enforcement must reflect American values and should include protections for unaccompanied children and families seeking asylum. I was able to speak to the offices about the unique ways in which Lutheran Services of Georgia (LSG) serves immigrant and refugee families in their own congressional districts. Congressman John Lewis’s office was especially interested in issues affecting unaccompanied minors and the concerns raised by our AILA cohort about the low approval rate of asylum cases in the Atlanta Immigration Court.

During our lunch break we heard from a number of congressmen, congresswomen, and senators about their stances on immigration policy and law. A message emphasized in many of the legislators’ speeches was that America should not be detaining mothers and children seeking asylum and that such detention centers are in conflict with American values and basic human rights.

Later in the afternoon, my team met with the offices of Senator Isakson and Representative Price in order to emphasize the message that America needs immigration reform and an enforcement-only approach is not a solution. The other members of the AILA chapter met with the offices of Senator Perdue and Representatives Bishop, Austin Scott, David Scott, and Westmoreland.

If you would like to learn more about the details of AILA’s message to our Congressmen and Senators, please follow the link for an electronic version of this pamphlet that we left behind at all of our visits. http://www.aila.org/File/Related/15041400a.pdf.

Expressions for Hope Supports Children and Families in Savannah

On Saturday, April 18th, Lutheran Services of Georgia held Expressions for Hope, its 3rd Annual Spring Art Show Fundraiser to benefit children, adults, and families in need in the Savannah area. Attendees gathered at the historic Lutheran Church of the Ascension on Wright Square for an evening of art. Attendees listened to excellent live piano from Cornelia Ewaldsen and Michael Braz while enjoying a range of original works and prints for sale from local artists.

This year's artists included Jacqueline Carcagno, Gwen Frazier, Jonathan Keller, Ann Lutz, Tiffani Taylor, Diane Walling, and Michael Wozniak. One attendee who has participated in all three Art Shows commented that the quality of this year's art was especially high. All artists donated a portion of their sales and several donated their entire sales to LSG in Savannah.

Wright Square Cafe catered the event and Johnnie Ganem provided the beverages. Both companies were silver sponsors for the event, as was Pace Lighting. LSG thanks our sponsors, our community partner Art Rise Savannah, participating artists, and all those who volunteered their time and resources to make this event a success.

 

FACES Seeking Host Home Providers for Individuals with Disabilities

Lutheran Services of Georgia's FACES program is actively seeking individuals or couples who would be willing to open their home to an adult with a Developmental Disability.  Caring and committed adults are needed immediately to provide supportive and stable homes for people with special needs. We are especially in great need of homes that provide accessibility for individuals that use a wheelchair for mobility and are in need of assistance with all activities of daily living. We offer ongoing professional training and exceptional staff support to home providers. We also have a need for homes that are willing to provide relief or care for a few days at a time. We believe that everyone deserves the chance to live a meaningful, productive and rewarding life. Can you help?

For further information and program details, please email Jackie Nickens at jnickens@lsga.org or call the inquiry line for the Atlanta office of Lutheran Services of Georgia FACES program 1-800-351-2066 . Please leave your name , full mailing address and email address!