Lutheran Services of Georgia resettles hundreds of refugees each year, assisting them to make a smooth transition to life in the United States, to achieve economic self-sufficiency, and to become socially integrated into their new communities. Our Refugee Services programs also provide supportive and supplemental services to the refugee community in Atlanta, including refugees and asylees who were not resettled by LSG. All programs are operated through our Atlanta office.
Our multicultural Refugee Services staff consists of 12 members who between them speak a total of 12 languages. We assist refugees from anywhere in the world without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, age, or gender. We have resettled people from dozens of countries around the world, including Bosnia, Burma, Cambodia, Cuba, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iran, Iraq, Laos, Liberia, Sierra Leone, the former Soviet Union, Somalia, Sudan, Vietnam, the former Yugoslavia, Zaire, and Zambia.
We take responsibility for gathering resources, finding housing and employment, and providing general cultural orientation to the refugees that we resettle. Families or friends previously resettled by LSG co-sponsor many of our refugees, with our assistance. Georgia families, churches, and civic organizations co-sponsor other families. We also accept refugees who do not have a pre-assigned co-sponsor.
LSG is one of 26 affiliate offices of the national voluntary agency, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS), which assists refugees through a cooperative agreement with the US Department of State.
