LSI Celebrates Historic Milestone in Refugee Admissions
Des Moines, IA – LSI (Lutheran Services in Iowa) celebrates a historic year in immigrant and refugee resettlement – in Iowa and nationwide. LSI resettled 722 refugees and Special Immigrant Visa holders during Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2024, adding to a milestone number of 100,000 resettled nationwide. Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program resettles individuals from Afghanistan or Iraq who worked as translators, interpreters, or other professionals employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government in Iran and Iraq.
“LSI was founded by immigrants in 1864, and our mission to welcome new neighbors continues to thrive as we resettle refugees today,” said Renee Hardman, LSI President and CEO. “But we don’t do this alone – our dedicated network of community stakeholders is critical to meeting this humanitarian need while fostering economic growth in Iowa as people join the workforce and contribute to our communities in a multitude of ways.”
In the wake of the 2024 presidential election, LSI remains steadfast in its mission to serve immigrant and refugee communities in Iowa.
“In uncertain times, it is vital to remember that our role as Americans is to help those in need, and in doing so, we advance our own interests as well,” said Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, President and CEO of Global Refuge, LSI’s long-standing partner agency (formerly known as Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services).
“We are driven by values that are as old as our nation itself — those of compassion, resilience, and a commitment to protecting the dignity of every person. We will continue our work undeterred, ensuring that those in dire need of safety find refuge, opportunity, and community on America’s golden shores.”
The top countries of origin for refugees resettled in Iowa by LSI in FFY 2024 include the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afghanistan, Syria, Venezuela, and Burma (Myanmar).
LSI’s immigrant and refugee resettlement strategy includes employment case management, housing, mental health services, English Language Learning (ELL) classes, financial education, small business training, and LSI Global Greens – connecting former refugees with opportunities to grow and sell food. LSI provides initial resettlement services in the Des Moines, Sioux City and Wateroo regions and additional services that are statewide.
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About Us:
LSI is one of Iowa’s largest human services agencies and impacts thousands of Iowans annually through child abuse prevention, services for children and families, people with disabilities, and immigrants and refugees. LSI engages a broad base of public and private sources of support, including businesses, congregations, individuals, foundations, and government sources. LSI is nationally accredited and proudly serves people of all ages, abilities, religions, sexes, gender identities, national origins, ethnicities, races, and sexual orientations. To learn more, visit LSIowa.org. Join us on Facebook at Facebook.com/LSI.iowa and on Instagram at @lsi_iowa.
