LSS Refugee Services:
Summer 2008
Campaign for Refugee Families
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota’s (LSS) Refugee Resettlement Service is asking you to partner with us to address an extremely critical issue. Over the past 2 years, the number of refugees coming to Minnesota from refugee camps overseas was drastically and unexpectedly decreased due to US legislative changes and suspected fraud and violence in Kenya.
LSS’s Resettlement Program has been providing essential services to recently-arrived refugees since the 1970’s. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, individuals are given refugee status because of the inability to return to their home country due to a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership to a particular social group. Through our services, we have seen many lives changed for the better.
Refugee Resettlement services are supported through Private-Public Partnerships between the United States Government, and non-profit Resettlement agencies. The recent, unexpected decrease in Refugees has resulted in an unexpected decrease in revenue for our Resettlement Services unit. LSS Refugee Resettlement Services has taken active steps to restructure and adjust to a lower number of arrivals for this year, and is involved in strategic planning for additional changes that will lead to a more sustainable program in the future. LSS is committed to raising over $150,000 by the end of September 2008 to sustain this program for refugees.
It is not too late to make a difference. Already some individuals and groups have embraced this Campaign for Refugee Families. Their hard work is making a noticeable impact. We encourage you to look at their progress, assist them in their efforts, or even start your own fundraiser. Every dollar raised will enable LSS Refugee Services to continue providing the essential services to its refugee clientele.
We appreciate your support and look forward to partnering with you as we address the urgent needs of refugees in our community.
