Lutheran MLK Day of Service

Lutheran MLK Day of ServiceMonday, January 18, 2016 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM Rock of Ages Lutheran Church Stone Mountain

unnamed-4

Life's most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others? -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Join volunteers from around Metro Atlanta to serve on the national day of service to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Against what seemed like impossible odds, Dr. King and scores of his fellow citizens of all races came together and, ultimately, helped bend the moral arc of the universe toward justice. The upcoming commemoration of the MLK Day of Service on Monday, January 18 is an opportunity to remember that history and re-commit ourselves as citizens by volunteering in service to one another.

The Lutheran MLK Day of Service is co-sponsored by the Lutheran Theological Center of Atlanta and the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA and it benefits refugees and immigrants served by Lutheran Services of Georgia. Join others to donate and pack rice and other staple food items to stock the pantries of newly arrived refugees resettled by LSG in Georgia. Also come to engage in learning and action about how people from all faiths can help welcome refugees from around the world.

Any questions? Email Melanie Johnson at mjohnson@lsga.org

REGISTER HERE for the Lutheran MLK Day of Service.

unnamed-3

Volunteers package rice for newly arrived refugee families at the 2015 Lutheran MLK Day of Service.

unnamed-5

Thank You, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church!

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

Thanks to our friends at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church who delivered Hope Tree Shoe Boxes for refugee children made by their congregation, and have been making the shoe boxes for refugee children for many Christmases!

They delivered to Redeemer Lutheran Church, Atlanta, who also played a big role in facilitating Hope Tree by providing space for gifts to be sorted, organized and delivered to refugee children and families that LSG works with in Clarkston.

Little Helpers + Hope Tree Make A Merry Christmas for Refugees

Hope Tree lsg

Thank you to our friends from Little Helpers, who bought and delivered gifts for all members of 2 refugee families as part of our Hope Tree program, in which volunteers purchase gifts for refugee children in need. This was an especially significant experience for the group, as some members were refugees themselves.

Here’s what Tran Smith, who organizes the Atlanta Little Helpers group, said about the experience:

Hope Tree atlanta

“Our family volunteer group Little Helpers wanted to reach out to people in need this holiday, but participating in the LSG's Hope Tree for Refugees was more fulfilling and important than just that. Some of the volunteers were also refugees who came to this country seeking freedom and finding much support and love. Tears flowed as some of us experienced that "full circle moment" when we were face to face with the families who simply asked for winter clothes and a large pot to cook meals this holiday.  Although there was a language barrier, we had no trouble communicating because it was out of respect and love that we were brought together. A big thanks to LSG for allowing us to have this opportunity and for doing such great work to help others achieve their independence."

Hope Tree

Little Helpers is a program that works with young people to help them understand the value of volunteering, recognize the blessings in their lives, broaden their community perspective and feel the sense of accomplishment received from lending a helping hand. Ultimately, the goal of the program is to raise confident children who incorporate community service into their lives on a regular basis.

Little Helpers was created in Memphis, but today has chapters across the country including the Rochester, NY; Mooresville/Charlotte, NC; Denver, CO; Atlanta, GA and Tampa/St. Pete, FL.

Hope Tree refugee

Hope Tree

Give the Gift of Home this Christmas

Holiday_Headers-01

We go home for the holidays to be reminded of the unconditional love and security we felt as children, to wrap our arms around the people we love and to feel their arms wrapped around us. We go home to strengthen the bonds that tie us to those who raised us, those we grew up with and eventually, those we raised. Family is home, and a blessing that is always with us, and always growing. But not everyone has been blessed with a family, or a place to call home, yet.

This Christmas, you can give the most meaningful and life-changing gift of all: the gift of home. Our mission is to find, strengthen, and create homes for people in need throughout Georgia. You can make that mission possible by contributing to our work, or to a specific program, today.

Give to LSG Today and Help Bring People Home

National Adoption Month

national adoption month

National Adoption Month is recognized across the country as a way to spread awareness of of the many children who wait in the foster care system for their forever families. Through our adoptions program, Lutheran Services of Georgia works with children who are considered to be special needs. This means that they are older, part of a sibling group, or that they have developmental, behavioral, or physical difficulties. We are blessed to work with these exceptional children and the incredible families who welcome them home.

As an agency, we work with families who have expressed an interest in adopting and have been referred to our program to get assistance. Many families who choose to adopt do not have birth children, but others do and have simply decided to continue expanding their family by adopting. The children we work with come from all over Georgia, and oftentimes prospective parents will travel all the way across the state to meet with them.

Once families and children meet, a wonderful, unmistakable bond begins to form. These children, many who have overcome unimaginably difficult situations, become part of their new families, and are welcomed as though they have been in the family all along. Even the extended family members and support systems start calling the children their grandchildren, nieces, nephews, etc. Most of the children who are adopted have experienced some form of abuse and have experienced more in their young lives than any adult can begin to imagine, but when they become part of a family, they begin to understand that they are safe, loved, and supported—forever.

Oftentimes a loving, permanent home is the difference between a child who is depressed, agitated, and destructive, and a child who is just the opposite. The families we work with take the time to get to understand the needs of each child individually,  and though they know that it will not always be easy, do not give up despite challenges. These families know that children need love and to know that someone is there for them regardless of what they’ve been through.

Sometimes when parents learn about the difficulties that their adoptive children have faced, it can seem like a risk to make the commitment to welcome them as a permanent part of their family. However, the parents that we work with are truly exceptional, compassionate, and empathetic people who see these children for what they really are and truly want to give them  the love and support that every child deserves.

This month, we have been able to finalize seven adoptions. Each of these families took the time to understand that these children are more than what they read about them on paper. Adoption is a lifelong commitment to a child as if the child was one’s birth child. The child and adoptive family need ongoing support to process the impact of adoption, and Lutheran Services of Georgia is that support for both the family and the child, and we are here even when the ink has dried on the final adoption court order!

National Adoption Day

2015_05_CrosswhitePhotoShoot-2964

National Adoption Day falls on November 21, and is a national effort to raise awareness of the over 100,000 children waiting in foster care for their forever families to find them. The day is sponsored by four wonderful organizations: Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, The Alliance for Children’s Rights, and Children’s Action Network. Since its inception in 2000, National Adoption Day has helped nearly 54,500 children find their forever families. LSG specializes in finding homes for special needs children, which means children that can be more difficult to place due to age, being part of a sibling group, or having a disability. We believe every child is adoptable and every child is special, and work with some incredible families and children. In recognition of this day, Shamae Crosswhite has shared her family's story, below.

First and foremost, I would like to thank the staff at Lutheran Services of Georgia for helping us find our missing pieces through adoption. My husband and I were trying to start our family the natural way, but unfortunately we did not have success. Adoption was always an option for us, so we decided moved the timetable up.

My husband and I started the adoption process in December 2013. I will never forget the day I went to our local DFACS office for an informational session. We arrived on time and were very anxious to learn more about the adoption process. The first words out of the case manager’s mouth were “we are not accepting applications for adoption at this time.” Once I heard those words, I don’t remember hearing anything else that was mentioned--my heart was broken. I remember walking out of the office crying, leaving my husband behind to speak with the case manager. He came out the office, hugged me tight and told me everything will work out. He said that the case manager gave him a phone number to an agency that handles adoption. That agency was Lutheran Services of Georgia.

I knew I didn’t want to give up, so I called the number the very next day. We were scheduled for the next available informational session which was only two days away. Once we attended the informational session at LSG, we knew this was the place for us; it just felt right. That night, we decided that we definitely wanted to move forward with the process and potentially have a sibling group.

2015_05_CrosswhitePhotoShoot-2858

In January 2014, we completed all the paperwork to attend the classes. We ended up completing our final classes in June. And in July, LSG conducted our home study. By September 2014, we were approved by the state and LSG to be matched with a child. I remember attending an adoption quarterly meeting and someone mentioned creating an adoption flyer that we could send to the other case managers and people we knew for potential matches. With the exception of our parents, we did not want to tell our family or friends that we were going through the process.

Well, after attending the quarterly meeting we realized that we should tell more people as we felt the meeting encouraged us to share our story. Once we made that decision, I emailed everyone in my contact list the flyer. Low and behold, a friend of ours knew a case manager and she forwarded the email to her. Would you believe that is how we find out about two beautiful kids? We ended up receiving a phone call from Ms. Terrell about the possible match and I cried. There were so many additional personal issues we were also dealing with during this time, but this news restored me. I believed, no, I knew this was God’s doing. He waited for the perfect time to provide us with two children who needed us just as much as we needed them.

They sent the file over for us to read. Just reading their story, word after word, we knew they were for us. I remember attending the meeting to sign papers to move forward with the match. We signed the papers and then I asked, “Can I see a picture of them?” I didn’t have to see a picture to know they were my babies; a 5 year old girl and 8 year old boy. We met them for the very first time on December 5, 2014. I will never forget that visit. I wanted to take them home and keep them safe because they were MY children! They are the most affectionate children I know. They were officially placed with us on January 12, 2014. And after numerous home visits, we finalized the adoption July 7, 2015.

I will never say this process was easy, but it wasn’t a huge battle. To those contemplating adoption, I leave you with this advice: First, be patient. Everything happens in due time.  Second, share the process with family and friends because you never know who they know or how they can help. Third, love all the kids with an unequivocal, unconditional love no matter their situation. Fourth, utilize Lutheran Services of Georgia at all avenues. They have a plethora of information. Last but not least, keep the faith.

How Should We Respond to the Refugee Crisis in Light of the Paris and Beirut Attacks?

The past five days have been really painful for humanity. The recent attacks in Paris and Beirut, not to mention the countless acts of violence in multiple places around the world have shocked and alarmed us. We are more connected than in any other time of human history, through 24/7 media outlets and social media, we know instantly what’s going on around the world.

Refugee family mother and daughter

These events are scary for everyone. And in our fear, and in the uncertainty around us, and especially in the instantaneous ways we receive information, reactions are swift. So as a result, there has been significant backlash against Syrian refugees, and in some cases, refugees in general. We at Lutheran Services of Georgia have been serving refugees for over thirty years, so we have seen first hand the incredible contributions of refugees in Georgia. Our clients and even some of our staff are a perfect testimony of that, many of them fled violence and war and are now U.S citizens, working to serve their community. We do understand the concerns that people have expressed, so I wanted to address some of the key questions that have been posed:

1. What is a Refugee anyway? According to the United Nations, a refugee is someone who "owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality, and is unable to, or owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country." Essentially, refugees have fled violence or persecution and are unable to return to their home country.
2. How are refugees processed? Are there security risks?  The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) — or occasionally a U.S. embassy or another non-governmental organization (NGO) — determines which refugees (about 1 percent) should be resettled, which can take four to 10 months.  Once a case is referred from the UNHCR to the United States, a refugee undergoes a multi-layered security screening process that could take several rounds, an in-person interview with Department of State personnel, approval by the Department of Homeland Security, medical screening, a match with a sponsor agency, "cultural orientation" classes, and final security screening. This all happens before a refugee ever gets onto American soil. The United States handpicks the refugees who resettle here, and they go through multiple layers of security checks, making them the most thoroughly vetted group of people who come to the United States. Security screenings are rigorous and involve the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, the Department of Defense and multiple intelligence agencies. Before a refugee can even be considered to come to the U.S., he or she must first be determined to be eligible. The security process takes at least 18 to 24 months.
3. But what about Paris? The European process is different from the process of vetting in the United States. As mentioned above, the security screening process is very stringent.  Refugees are the most scrutinized and screened individuals to enter the United States. The robust and multi-layered series of security checks include biometrics, medical screenings, interagency intelligence sharing, and in-person interviews with Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officials are an extraordinary tool to ensure that the refugees we seek to protect will not pose a safety threat to the United States.
4. How many refugees are coming to the United States? Aren’t they a financial drain on the tax payers? The number of refugees admitted into the United States from all countries has averaged between 50,000 and 85,000 in recent years. For this coming fiscal year, the total number estimated was 85,000, an increase in 10,000 from the previous year. In Georgia, 82% of refugees are self sufficient, working and paying their own expenses after six months in the United States. Refugees contribute to the American economy in great ways.
5. Is it true that only Muslim refugees are coming to the United States? What about only Syrian Men? They’re the only pictures I see. The United States resettles refugees of all faiths. Keeping some Syrian refugees out of this country based on their religion sends the wrong message to the rest of the world about who we are as Americans. We are a welcoming country with a religiously diverse society and our resettlement program should continue to reflect this. To not do so only feeds into ISIS’ propaganda and makes us all less safe. And in regards to gender, 76% of the refugees who have fled violence in Syria are women and children. For Lutheran Services of Georgia, in the federal fiscal year that just ended on September 30th, 76.5% of our clients were women and children. 47% of our clients were Christian, 13% were Buddhist or Hindu, and 40% were Muslim. We serve all faiths through the resettlement program.

Ultimately, we at LSG believe in bringing people home and creating welcome. We have a rich history as an organization in serving the vulnerable. And we have a rich history as a nation of being a country of immigrants, of people who escaped persecution in search for new futures. We hope you will join us as we welcome refugees to Georgia.

Thank You for Supporting LSG for GA Gives Day!

Special thanks to all of you who donated to Lutheran Services of Georgia on November 12th in celebration of Georgia Gives Day. Thanks to YOU, we raised over $6,350 and we were also approved to receive additional matching funding from the SunTrust Financial Wellness Challenge.

We appreciate our many donors who joined us in working to help find, strengthen and create homes for those we serve. Thank you!

Celebrate National Adoption Month with LSG Rome!

November is National Adoption Month! National Adoption Month is recognized each year to raise awareness of adoption throughout the country, to challenge myths about adoption, and to celebrate the love and support that is shared between adoptive families and their children.

This year, through our Specialized Foster Care program in Rome, we have matched many exceptional children with their forever families, who have opened their homes and welcomed them as their own. We think this incredible gift is something to celebrate!

We will be hosting an adoption appreciation pizza party to celebrate all of the life-changing connections that have been made between adoptive families and their children. We are so grateful for each family that has chosen to partner with us to start or expand their families, and we invite them to join us in celebration this Saturday:

LSG Adoption Appreciation Party Date: Saturday, November 7th Time: 11:30am-2:30pm Place: Mellow Mushroom              238 Broad St, Rome, GA 30161

The party is sure to be lots of fun, and a great way for children to socialize and make new friends, so please don’t miss it! We will have lots of fun activities for the kids and plenty of pizza and snacks for everyone. We encourage parents to bring their entire families so that they can get to know other families like theirs, and share stories and support with one another.

We know that the adoption process can be long, and that it is not always easy; however, to parents who have completed the process and gotten to welcome their child or children home, we say this: you did it! You not only changed the life of a child who longed for love and support, but you navigated a complicated process and came out on the other end as a stronger family with a wonderful addition.

We are so grateful for your partnership and the incredible gift that you have given, so please join us in celebrating your family!

One Week Until GA Gives Day!

November 12 is Georgia Gives Day, and Lutheran Services of Georgia needs your help! LSG is committed to raising $10,000 in one 24-hour period to support individuals and families in need throughout Georgia. On November 12, visit our Georgia Gives profile to donate and help us win additional funding only available on that day. You can also increase your Georgia Gives impact by the following:

POWER HOURS

By making your GA Gives donation at specific times throughout the day, you increase LSG's chances of winning "Power Hour" prizes. Please consider giving during the following hours: 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

BECOME A FUNDRAISER

There's still time to become a GA Gives fundraiser for us! Go to our Georgia Gives profile and click "Become a Fundraiser" to create your own profile. Use your profile to ask friends and family to support LSG. It's a great way to show how much you love LSG and inspire others to give. If you need help setting up your profile, click here.

GIVE TODAY

It's not too early to donate to LSG's Georgia Gives page! Click here to give now.

Thank you for supporting LSG! For more information about Georgia Gives Day, contact Allison Hood at ahood@lsga.org or 404-591-7067. You can also contact Allison if you'd like to make an offline donation that day.

Support LSG on Georgia Gives Day!

November 12 is Georgia Gives Day and LSG needs your help!

Georgia Gives Day brings the state together as one community to raise as much money and awareness as possible for Georgia nonprofits in one 24-hour flash mob of giving. LSG is committed to raise $10,000 to serve children, adults, and families in need throughout Georgia. We can't do it alone! Here are three big ways you can help us reach our goal.

GIVE

On November 12, please go to our Georgia Gives profile and donate! Afterwards, tell your friends by sharing our profile via e-mail or social media. Donations are accepted through the Georgia Gives platform all year long, but donating on November 12 allows LSG to compete for additional funding only available on that date.

FUNDRAISE

Become a personal GA Gives fundraiser for us! Go to our Georgia Gives profile and click "Become a Fundraiser" to create your own profile. Use your profile to ask friends and family to support LSG. It's a great way to show how much you love LSG and inspire others to give. If you need help setting up your profile, click here for step-by-step instructions.

AMPLIFY

Help us spread the word about our participation in Georgia Gives Day! Share the link to our profile via social media and e-mail. You can also download our promotional materials:

• LSG Georgia Gives Save the Date Card
• LSG Georgia Gives Day Bulletin Insert

For more information about Georgia Gives Day,  contact Allison Hood at ahood@lsga.org or 404-591-7067

Reuniting the Denver Family

After an accident in their home, Mr. and Mrs. Denver's infant daughter was removed and placed in foster care by the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS). DFCS referred the family to LSG's Family Intervention Services (FIS) program. LSG staff worked closely with the Denvers to develop a plan for the parents to complete so their daughter could return to a safe home.

Mr. and Mrs. Denver were eager to complete their case plan as soon as possible. LSG's Supervised Family Visitation allowed the Denvers to visit with their daughter three times a week in a comfortable setting. Twice a week, the Denvers took LSG's SafeCare Parenting classes, where they learned skills to better care for their daughter. Because of their determination, they moved through the program quickly. Overjoyed, the family welcomed their daughter back home in December 2014, just in time for Christmas.

Despite the difficult circumstances, the Denver family is grateful for LSG's Family Intervention Services. Mrs. Denver said, "The Supervised Visitation program was good for us. We got a lot of support. Everyone was really nice and understanding of how difficult the situation was for us. It was nice to not feel guilty or judged. The SafeCare Parenting Program was also good for us, especially since this was our first child. We are at a time where everything our baby does could be dangerous. I use the skills from the parenting classes every day. I'd recommend SafeCare for people even if they were not required to take it. We are appreciative of the services we received."

For more information about Family Intervention Services, click here or contact Jacqui Williams at jwilliams@lsga.org.

LSG's Refugee School Impact Program Helps Refugee Students Succeed

Lutheran Services of Georgia is excited to announce that the Georgia Department of Human Services Refugee Programs Unit has renewed our Refugee School Impact Grant for the 2015-2016 school year!  This grant supports LSG's Refugee School Impact program, launched in the spring of 2015 to serve refugee students, their families, and their schools in Savannah.

The Refugee School Impact program aims to improve the academic performance and social adjustment of refugee children. Refugee students face unique challenges in U.S. schools. School staffmay lack the cultural knowledge and resources necessary to support refugee families.  Many refugee children and parents need help improving their English skills to fully navigate the school system. Transportation can be another obstacle, since getting the child signed up to take the school bus can be a long process. Refugees do not have cars when they arrive, so the child often has no alternate way to get to school.

In the spring of 2015, LSG hired Christy Seifert to serve as School Liaison between refugee families, schools, and LSG. Christy conducts interviews with the child and parent to learn about the child's needs, hopes, and dreams. She then uses this information to create Individualized Service Plans that center the child's specific academic and social needs.

Christy is there from the very beginning, enrolling kids in school, registering them for free lunch, teaching them how to ride the bus, and locating and providing school supplies. Throughout the school year, Christy and a team of volunteers support families through tutoring and regular meetings with parents, teachers, and school administration. Three times a year, Christy assesses refugee student improvement in math, reading, and English.

Christy enjoys her work as the School Liaison. She said, "Having lived in foreign countries myself, I know how difficult cultural adjustments can be. I love being able to serve families and help make their transition into American life as smooth as possible. I love the excitement of new students as they watch their improvement on their assessments. I love watching parents get excited about their kids learning. I love being part of dreams coming true."

Christy has seen how, with a little extra help, refugee children can thrive in their new schools. She has seen a lot of progress in the children she serves and shared this story: "There is a child in our program that dreams BIG! He wants to be an astronaut. He loves to study science and is very driven. This child is always asking questions about history and loves to process all he is learning."

LSG's Refugee School Impact program supports refugees along a continuum of care. Parents may receive services through LSG's Family Intervention Services and refugee employment programs. LSG also connects refugees with organizations that offer additional support, including English language instruction for parents, tutoring, summer camp experiences for children, and more.

LSG's Refugee School Impact program served 13 children in the 2014-2015 school year and anticipates serving 24 children this year. LSG thanks the Office of Refugee Resettlement for renewing our Refugee School Impact Grant and is looking forward to another great school year.

To learn more about the Refugee School Impact program, contact Christy Seifert at cseifert@lsga.org.

LSG Receives Human Services Grant to Support Family Intervention Services

Lutheran Services of Georgia recently received funding from the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, under the guidance of the Housing and Human Services Department Grant Program, to support LSG's Family Intervention Services program. The Human Services Grant program bridges the gap in direct government services by supporting etablished community-based non-profit organizations throughout Fulton County that provide programs in the areas of: Aging, Disability, Employment, HIV/AIDS, Homelessness & Housing, and Youth & Families.

LSG’s Family Intervention Services (FIS) program has three main goals: 1) That children are protected from abuse and neglect and safety maintained in their homes whenever possible; 2) That children have permanency and stability in their living situations; and 3) That families have enhanced capacity to provide for their children’s needs.

Most FIS clients are families who have been impacted by issues that put children at a higher risk of abuse or neglect or have experienced impaired family functioning. FIS clients may have children with medically fragile conditions, developmental disabilities, or behavioral and psychiatric disabilities. They may be experiencing factors that put the child at risk, including poverty, unemployment, unstable housing, domestic violence, lack of education, low literacy, teen pregnancy, substance abuse, dependence on relative caregivers, young/inexperienced parents, language barriers, and more.

FIS protects children and strengthens families through two key components: A+ Parents and Supervised Family Visitation. A+ Parents works to prevent family issues from escalating to the point of requiring Child Protective Services (CPS) intervention and/or out-of-home placements. Supervised Family Visitation serves children who have already entered foster care by providing structured opportunities for children to visit with birth parents, siblings, or other relatives in a safe, home-like setting. Both A+ Parents and Supervised Family Visitation offer parenting classes, assessments, case management, therapy, community linkages, and transportation assistance. In fiscal year 2014, FIS served 189 children and 143 adults in 100 families in Fulton County alone.

Lutheran Services of Georgia thanks the Fulton County Board of Commissioners and the Housing and Human Services Department for providing funding for Family Intervention Services.

LSG Celebrates Heroes of Hope at 8th Annual Gala

On Thursday, September 17, Lutheran Services of Georgia celebrated community heroes at the 8th Annual Heroes of Hope Gala. LSG staff, supporters, volunteers, donors, and clients gathered at the Historic Dekalb Courthouse for this evening of celebration.

Attendees enjoyed a buffet dinner, drinks, live music, and silent auction featuring items and experiences given by 43 generous donors. Rick Probst, host of radio show FaithTalk LiVE, served as emcee for the evening's program. LSG unveiled its brand-new agency video, created by vLink Solutions, to applause from the room.

Two LSG clients graciously shared their stories with the crowd. Mohamad Nazir Hussain, a refugee,  talked about his perilous journey from Burma to Thailand to Malaysia and finally to resettlement in the United States. He thanked LSG and his case managers for all their support in helping him, his wife, and his four children adjust to life in Georgia.

Mrs. Shamae Crosswhite spoke about her experience with LSG's Adoption program. She and her husband Perry are the proud parents of a brother and sister adopted through LSG. 9-year-old Nicolas and 6-year-old Kara joined their mother as she thanked LSG for helping make their family possible.

LSG then presented the 2015 Heroes of Hope awards to Kelly James and Kareem Ahmed of R. James Properties, John Timpe, and John Blend of Goshen Valley. The heroes spoke about their experiences with LSG and serving the community, and accepted their awards. Click here to read more about our 2015 Heroes.

rjamesaward

johnblendaward

The program wrapped up with a live auction as attendees pledged $10,00- to support LSG's various programs throughout Georgia. Attendees stayed afterwards to place final silent auction bids and to chat with new and old friends.

Lutheran Services of Georgia wants to thank everyone who made this event possible: our staff, supporters, silent auction donors, sponsors, clients, and, of course, our Heroes of Hope. LSG raised close to $40,000 to support individuals, children, and families throughout Georgia. More photos from the night are available on our Facebook page. Contact Allison Hood at ahood@lsga.org or 404-591-7067 for information regarding the 2016 Heroes and other events.

September 13-19 is Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week

LSG is excited to announce that the Service Providers Association for Developmental Disabilities has worked to secure a Proclamation from Governor Deal declaring September 13-19, 2015 as Direct Support Professionals Week. LSG thanks all of our direct support professionals, direct care workers, personal assistants, personal attendants, and in-home support workers for helping us serve our clients. Click the link below to read Governor Deal's Proclamation.

READ THE PROCLAMATION

Zakaria Becomes a U.S. Citizen!

In 2010, Zakaria Abdulrazek arrived in the U.S. as a refugee from Sudan  and was resettled through LSG. His resettlement story can be read on our blog. Now, Zak works as a case manager in LSG's Refugee and Immigration Services department. Zak recently became a U.S. citizen, a goal he's been working towards for five years.

On July 28, 2015, I became a U.S. citizen. Becoming a U.S. citizen is a huge step for me and a big achievement. I've been looking forward to this for the past five years. Besides being able to vote, I will get to travel freely and I am looking forward to going back home to Sudan to visit my mother.

In March 2015, three months shy of my 5th anniversary in the U.S., I applied for U.S. citizenship through LSG's Immigration Services. The process was quite easy, but I was worried about the interview. I studied all 100 of the practice questions about U.S. history and I found they were not as hard as I thought they would be. I memorized them all! During the interview, I was only asked six questions and I answered all of them correctly. My family in Sudan were the first ones to know that they now have a U.S. citizen in the family, and they were very happy. I celebrated with friends.

On Tuesday, August 28, exactly one month after I became an American, my LSG family surprised me with a party to celebrate my citizenship. It was totally unexpected and I am very happy that I have coworkers who care and took the time to celebrate with me. I've been a case manager for almost one year now, and I like being a member of the LSG family. As a case manager, I get to welcome "future U.S. citizens" on a daily basis. I love that I get to help refugees start a new life as I did, here in the U.S.

LSG thanks Zakaria for all his work to welcome refugees and congratulates him on receiving his citizenship!

Take Action: Help LSG Welcome Refugees to Georgia

By Emily Laney, Atlanta Program Manager for Refugee and Immigration Services

Many of you were shocked and saddened by the pictures and story that have circulated of a sweet Syrian 3-year-old boy, Aylan. He and his family drowned while trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea to safety. The plight of Syrian refugees and other refugees around the world is beyond what most of us can fathom. The pictures and story of this precious little boy are heartbreaking and can leave us feeling powerless. What can one person do?

Each year, LSG resettles hundreds of refugees from all around the world in the Atlanta and Savannah areas. We would love to help connect you with Georgia's refugees. Here are three ways you can help LSG welcome and support newcomers locally.

1) DONATE: Do you have a vehicle you are no longer using? What about furniture, kitchen items, household goods, or clothes? Refugees come to the United States with very few possessions, and any donations we can acquire for them help tremendously.

2) BEFRIEND: Are you a career professional? College student? Mom with a few kids? We can help anyone connect with a refugee family to befriend and mentor on U.S. culture, the workplace, parenting, and more. Whatever your passions and skills, there is probably a refugee family who would love to meet you!

3) GIVE: Whether you can give $25 for a MARTA transit pass, $250 to sponsor program costs for a client to attend cultural orientation, or  $1,100 to provide matching funds for our employment program, every dollar you give will help create a warm welcome for refugees in Atlanta and Savannah.

If you are interested in any of these opportunities, contact Melanie Johnson at 678-686-9619 or mjohnson@lsga.org.

Andrea Receives Board of Immigration Appeals Accreditation

IMG_1090

LSG staff member Andrea Pietri-Diaz was recently accredited by the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). Here's what she had to say about her experience:

After LSG received Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) recognition last October, I had an opportunity to apply for accreditation to administratively practice immigration law as a non-attorney. I felt that getting accredited would allow me to serve refugees and immigrants on a greater scale. I would contribute to LSG's Immigration Services department's growing capacity to take on more clients. This also helped me start a career path I would not previously have thought to follow.

It was not a short process. The BIA requires applicants to take a series of educational courses (webinars, e-learning courses, in-person courses, and seminars) to demonstrate sufficient knowledge of immigration law. Immigration law is complex, detail-oriented, and constantly changing. Applicants must gain hands-on experience under the supervision of an immigration attorney. I completed close to 100 hours of experience working under LSG Immigration Services attorney Killa Marti. She has been a phenomenal teacher, mentor, and role model during this process and I could not have asked for anyone better.

BIA accreditation allows me to administratively represent refugees and immigrants before United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It also means our department is able to tackle more cases, providing more legal representation and assistance to refugees and immigrants at low or no cost to the client. The refugee and immigrant population is an already underserved and underrepresented population.  I've worked with immigrants and refugees for a few years now and it is constantly rewarding to help such a vast, yet vulnerable population.

LSG congratulates Andrea on her BIA accreditation. Click here for more information about Immigration Services.

Refugee Kids Go Back to School

By Aimee Zangandou, Refugee and Immigration Services Case Manager

When I asked Jeanne about her new school, she smiled brightly and answered that it was "Fantastic!". Jeanne and her ten siblings are from the Democratic Republic of Congo. They arrived in the United States on May 7, 2015 after spending three years in a refugee camp in Kenya. The kids  have been waiting all summer to start their new school - in America!

In early August, Jeanne and her siblings all received brand new backpacks filled with school supplies, thanks to Backpack in the Park. Backpack in the Park is an annual event organized by For the Kid in All of Us. Volunteers fill donated backpacks with school supplies, which are given to organizations serving children throughout the Atlanta area. This year, Lutheran Services of Georgia received 200 backpacks for kids in our programs.

When I dropped their backpacks off a couple days before school started, I could see their excitement. The day they had been anticipating for three months was almost here! I asked them if they were ready and they all replied "Yes" and told me how they were both excited and nervous. They were worried about not speaking English.

After two weeks of the school year, I asked them what stood out so far about American schools. Here's what they had to say:

1) It is nice to have a ride to school. They like that the school bus picks them up and drops them off right in front of their apartment. In Kenya, they had to walk quite a long ways to get to school.

2) The teachers are extremely nice and helpful. They were surprised that the teachers met them at their level, engaged them in conversation, and took time to get to know them. They got to choose their own seats. Back in Kenya, they were assigned seats and the teacher was unapproachable and feared.

3) They eat at school! They are fed breakfast and lunch at school, a totally new concept for them. Back in Kenya, schools are not associated with eating. Having enough food to eat was a daily struggle in the refugee camp. Being able to eat both breakfast and lunch at school is quite "awesome".

4) Changing classrooms through the day. For the two siblings in high school, they are now able to get to their classes without getting lost. In Kenya, teachers are the ones that change classrooms, not the students. The students in each particular classroom/grade have the same schedule and teachers are the ones who figure out what classroom is expecting them next.

LSG thanks Backpack in the Park for providing backpacks and school supplies so children can start the new school year in style.