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Update on Refugee Resettlement and Immigration Volunteer Fair

 

APRIL 30, 2025



Last year, we had members of our parish volunteer to mentor documented refugees thru a
partnership with Lutheran Social Services (LSS). We had a good response from our parish and
were able to help many individuals/families. Mentoring involves a commitment to walk
alongside these families on their journey of ups and downs as they learn how to maneuver life
here in the United States.

Many of our earlier mentees found jobs and their children were enrolled in schools. Some of
them are now pursuing their drivers permit or planning to enroll in GED classes. Our mentors
were able to establish relationships with them and learn about their cultures as they supported
them, and became friends.

But this year presented new challenges for our most recent refugee arrivals, because of the
banning of refugee resettlement aid on January 20, which LSS relied on. While this plays out in court, some of the most newly arrived refugees found that their financial assistance and
support from LSS had been suspended in their first few months here. LSS was forced to lay off
most of their refugee resettlement team, and has been scrambling to re-assign employees with
limited resources.

Most refugees have spent years waiting to be selected to come to the U.S., including up to two
years of vetting before they can make this journey. They come here to escape violence in their
own countries, with dreams to finally find education for their children, and themselves.

But here is the upside. STM’s immigration team has recently grown to near 100 members. Our
Immigration Volunteer weekend was a success, and we are now connecting many interested
volunteers with a large assortment of ways that they can get involved. It is so reassuring and
comforting in these unpredictable times, to know that we are surrounded by a community of
helpers here at STM. We thank everyone who is stepping up, no matter how little it may seem.
Together we can achieve so much.


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