Nick Wuertz
Director of LSI Immigrant and Refugee Community Services
A message from Nick Wuertz
The year 2022 marked a time of tremendous growth and evolution as LSI continued to respond to rapid change in global conflict and migration.
Our Immigrant and Refugee Community Services team welcomed new staff members to help in our mission of welcoming and empowering immigrants across the state of Iowa. We now have over 100 IRCS team members and have expanded services to Sioux City.
Much of 2022 was focused on responding to two major relocations to the United States: Operation Allies Welcome, which settled nearly 80,000 Afghans to the U.S., and Uniting 4 Ukraine. In both Des Moines and Sioux City, LSI staff, volunteers, and partners spent much of the year helping place and settle individuals and families who were evacuated from Afghanistan in August of 2021. In response to the war in Ukraine, LSI hired a team of staff members dedicated to providing outreach and support to Ukrainians who were resettling through private sponsors in communities throughout the state.
LSI worked to expand longer term integration services and opportunities for immigrants coming to the state. In 2022, we added five urban gardens to our growing list of shared urban garden spots and established a new land partnership for graduate farmers west of the Des Moines metro. The year also saw growth in the number of new child care providers enrolling in training, a record number of participants saving towards their first vehicle purchase, and a growing number of immigrant-owned businesses receiving assistance from LSI. Our partnership network expanded throughout the year as the education and workforce teams began collaborating with businesses to offer on-site ELL classes, monthly cultural orientations, and job readiness trainings for those new to the community.
As you review the 2022 Impact Report, I hope you are encouraged and inspired by the individuals and stories that you have helped make possible over the past year. We are so grateful for you and our many community partners, eager volunteers and generous donors who have partnered with LSI in expanding opportunities for immigrants and refugees in Iowa.
With gratitude,
Nick Wuertz
Director of LSI Refugee and Immigrant Services
Des Moines Staff
Sioux City Staff
Thanks to your support and our countless partners and volunteers, 91 new Iowans and Nebraskans are settling into their new life in the Siouxland area. Multiple LSI programs are now available or in the works in and around Sioux City, ensuring more newcomers receive the services and opportunities they need to succeed. Through this expansion, we’ve been able to add team members focused on reuniting multiple families and safely bringing them back together after often traumatic events and separations. You helped a mother to reunite with her daughter, a father to rejoin his family, a young son to find his way back to his parents.
Your Impact in 2022
Global Greens
Community Navigator Program
VITA
Match and Save (IDA) Program
Citizenship
Resettlement
Welcome to the
Afghan Supermarket
When Ahmad Tamim Sahel realized the need for halal products in his community, he knew he could help. Ahmad moved to the U.S. from Afghanistan in 2017, so he knew the struggles of acclimating to a new country, culture and life. He decided to open a store: the Afghan Supermarket.
Ahmad’s Afghan Supermarket, located at 2600 University Avenue in West Des Moines, features a variety of products including halal meats and other foods, Turkish mats and rugs and other culturally appropriate products.
There are over 700 Afghani families who moved to the Central Iowa area in the past few years. Many of these families are Muslim and need halal foods, especially meat. “’Halal’ means ‘permission’ in Arabic. For those who eat halal, food must be prepared in certain ways,” Ahmad explained. Ahmad’s store ensures these families can continue to purchase and eat food that aligns with their religious beliefs.
Ahmad enrolled in the LSI Community Navigator Pilot Program, where he had access to resources on topics such as business planning, financial management, marketing and capital access to help him lead his business successfully.
Ahmad is currently in the final stages of approval for a large loan, with the help from the LSI team, that will allow him to continue to provide culturally appropriate goods to his community. With the loan, Ahmad is planning on starting a bakery and expanding his inventory and reach in his community.
“As a business owner, Ahmad picks his inventory with care and prices everything with the community in mind,” said Maggie Cave, Programs Supervisor at LSI. “His expansion to open the halal bakery is another area where Ahmad has seen a need and is working to fill it.”
Ahmad’s favorite part about the store is seeing how many non-Afghan people also enjoy the store and his products. He is passionate about sharing elements of his culture with his new community in West Des Moines.
In addition to opening his grocery store, he is working to create a nonprofit that will foster a community for the local Afghani community. Ahmad envisions a place for all ages to gather, converse in native languages and share advice or give support. He is always willing to help with everyday problems from apartment searching to exploring employment opportunities to connecting with LSI for a variety of services.
“When Ahmad first came to LSI in April of 2022, he was spending lots of time driving new arrivals to and from his store and to other community services, organizing food deliveries and spreading needed information to Afghan communities,” said Maggie. “The passion and care Ahmad has for his community is so evident in how he runs his business.”
The passion and care Ahmad has for his community is so evident in how he runs his business
YOU CAN HELP RESTORE HOPE. JOIN OUR MOVEMENT.
LSI STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Zoya Staroselsky
Being a part of this organization makes me feel really proud of the work I do.
When she heard about the news of the war in Ukraine, Zoya Staroselsky felt compelled to support her fellow Ukrainians, in more ways than one.
Zoya, who moved to the U.S. with her family as refugees in 1991, was empathetic to everyone being affected by the war, so she helped to organize fundraisers and two rallies at the Des Moines Capitol in March and April of 2022.
“Once you’re Ukrainian, you’re always Ukrainian,” said Zoya. “I was hit very hard by the news of the war in Ukraine. We still have friends and connections there, so hearing the news was scary.”
In December 2022, Zoya began working at LSI as an interpreter, speaking both Ukrainian and Russian. “My son called me and said he sent me a link to a Ukrainian Interpreter job at LSI. I thought ‘maybe I can help in that way.’ That’s how I got the job here. I just wanted to help in as many ways as I could,” said Zoya.
A large part of Zoya’s job is to provide her clients with everyday necessities including clothing, car seats and diapers. “These people came with little notice,” said Zoya. “They brought what they could carry in their hands or small suitcases.”
When Zoya first started at LSI, she was the only Ukrainian interpreter. Now, LSI has a bigger team that allows them to help more clients. “As of right now, our team works with about 40-50 clients, but we still have much room to grow,” said Zoya.
LSI hosts resource fairs for newly-arrived Ukrainians to help set them up with access to community programs and services, but according to Zoya, some people come to the resource fairs just to find someone that they can communicate with.
One of the most challenging aspects of Zoya’s job is not always being able to obtain items or resources for her clients as quickly as they need them. “People are very generous, but it’s hard to not be in charge of your own life. Some of these clients depend on other people and that can be challenging for them,” she said.
Zoya also shared that she is especially happy when she is able to help a family or individual get what they need to succeed or move forward in their lives. “It fulfills me to my core to help people, and this job aligns with that value. I found that at LSI, it’s not just interpretation, I get to help all those families with their needs in many different ways,” she said.
“It makes me very proud of this organization [LSI] that has done this work for many years, for many different people, of many different nationalities,” said Zoya. “Being a part of this organization makes me feel really proud of the work I do.”
20 Interpreters Speaking Over 30 Languages
LSI has over 20 interpreters speaking over 30 different languages. Most, if not all of these team members, are former immigrants or refugees who have walked the same or similar path as those coming to the U.S. They are not only able to provide translation services for these new Iowans, but also offer a compassion and connection that cannot be easily matched.
We at LSI are grateful to our interpreters for the cultural bridge they provide in welcoming our immigrants and refugees to this country and this community.
Languages spoken by LSI employees:
- Amharic
- Arabic
- American Sign Language
- Bosnian
- Burmese
- Dari
- Dinka
- French
- German
- Hindi
- Italian
- Karen
- Karenni
- KiBembe
- Kinyamulenge
- Kinyarwanda
- Kirundi
- Kunama
- Lingala
- Nepali
- Nuer
- Pashto
- Persian (Farsi)
- Russian
- Somali
- Spanish
- Swahili
- Tigrinya
- Ukrainian
- Urdu
- Vietnamese
If you know someone who could benefit from LSI’s Immigrant and Refugee Community Services, encourage them to contact us.
Pree’s Dream
From dreaming of big cities, tall buildings and lots of cars, Pree, a former refugee, is now making her dream a reality.
“I’ve always seen the U.S. in movies. I dreamt of living in my own home and driving my own car. Now, my dream has come true,” said Pree.
Pree Aung and her family of four moved to Iowa in 2014 from a Thailand refugee camp. Having family in Des Moines, Pree heard about Iowa’s Karen community and the work opportunities in the area. “Iowa has a big community for my family, many Asian grocery stores, and an organization that helps refugees [LSI]. Iowa has everything that I need and want,” she said.
Pree started taking English Language classes at LSI three days a week. Her interpreter told her about all the LSI programs she qualified for, including the Child Care program. “That’s when I decided to do something for my future,” said Pree.
“I wanted to become a child care provider because, as a mother myself, I love kids and want all kids to have a safe place for child care. All mothers deserve to go to work without worrying about their kid’s safety.”
For many parents who arrive in the U.S. as refugees, it is difficult to find quality child care. Families are adjusting to life in the U.S. and may feel hesitant leaving their child with a stranger who doesn’t speak their language, or they may not be able to afford child care. LSI’s Child Care program trains immigrants to start their own in-home child care businesses, which benefits more families in the refugee community.
LSI staff supported Pree through her training by providing her with a Karen interpreter and helping her through each step of her certification. “LSI staff helped walk me through my trainings, including CPR classes and Mandatory Reporter Training. Two of the most valuable things I learned in the program include how to keep track of children’s medications and what to do in emergencies.”
My advice to full-time moms in my community is to do something that can be beneficial for you and your family. Try to get your child care license or a different license that is available in your area,” said Pree. “You are stronger than you think. If I can do it, you can too.
Pree became a child care provider in 2016, achieving licensing in just 6 months. “At the start, I thought it wouldn’t be easy to earn my provider license. I was a full-time mom, so I knew I wouldn’t be able to work until I became a provider myself. With the help of LSI’s services, I was able to finally reach my goal.”
Today, Pree’s Karen-speaking in-home child care business is made up of three children. In the future, she hopes to own her own child care center or school. “I would love for my whole family to work together at our own child care center and be providers together,” said Pree.
Save the Date
LSI’S 12TH ANNUAL EMPOWER EVENT
This annual dinner raises funds to Welcome, Empower and Impact those new to the U.S. and Iowa.
Join LSI and keynote speaker, journalist Caitlin Dickerson, for this fun and engaging evening as we honor, celebrate and uplift the stories and voices of immigrant and refugee communities in Iowa.
Thursday, June 22, 2023
Willow on Grand
Des Moines
WELCOME NEW IOWANS. EMPOWER SUCCESS. IMPACT LIVES
Save the Date for Empower Sioux City on October 12th!
More information to come later.
LSI Events in 2023
Bremwood Luncheon
May 10
LSI After Work Party
May 16
Empower Des Moines
June 22
ICubs Naturalization Ceremony
July 4
RAGBRAI Fundraiser
July 24, 27 & 28
Sips for Service
September 21
Empower Sioux City
October 12
The Blue Sky 5K
October 29
WAYS TO GET INVOLVED
Continue your support of LSI Immigrant and Refugee Community Services and stay up-to-date on our news throughout the year!
Qualified Charitable Distributons
If you are age 73 or older, you can give up to $100,000 directly from your IRA to charities such as LSI. This is a tax-free gift opportunity, called the IRA Charitable Rollover, and was passed by Congress and signed in to permanent law as of December 2015. This law allows taxpayers to give directly to nonprofit organizations without first having to recognize the distribution as income. Have your IRA broker send a check directly to our mailing address by December 31, 2023.
Please remember to contact us to let us know how and when to expect your gift.
Direct Transfer Instructions:
Have your broker transfer the IRA distribution/gift to Merrill Lynch DTC #5198, for further credit to LSI account # 660-04023
Merrill Lynch Contact Information
David Blake (515) 245-8050 or (800) 937-0608
Merrill Lynch, 7545 Ashworth Rd, Ste 100, West Des Moines, IA 50266
By Mail: Lutheran Services in Iowa, P.O. Box 848, Waverly, IA 50677
(Note: Mailed checks must come directly from your IRA broker/custodian)
Donations of $1000+ annually
Annette and Rick Krause
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Arnold and Christine Cowan
Beth and William Shields
Bethany Crile
Betty Bishop
Bill and Cathy Eddy
Bophaq Mom-Baccam
Carol Ludwig and Warren Obluck
Chris Daniels
Christian Grindberg
Chuck and Kathy Safris
Cynthia and Andrew Bartek
Dannette Lowry and Lawrence Chew
David and Karen Zwanziger
Dean and Sandra Carlson
Frances Rockey
Gayle Brown
Hauser Druker Foundation Fund
Jack and Jane Patton
James and Jeanne O’Halloran
James and Judith Fogdall
Janice Baldes
Jason and Liz Gunkel
Jeff and Susan Rissman
Jeniffer Betts
Jim and Cindy Petersen
Joan Fumetti
Joan Racki
Joe and Mary Herriges
John K and Denise A Wieland
Jon Hoffmann
Jonathan and Gail Ware
June Mehlhaus
Kathy McIntyre
Kaye and John Englin
Laurie Mardis
Mark and Minda Dearden
Martha McCormick
Mary and Dan Kelly
Mike and Linda Phipps
Norman and Margaret Vandekamp
Pamela Riggs
Pauline and Bill Niebur
Peter and Jane Scanlon
Rachel Oppold
Richard Stinogel
Richter Family Foundation
Rita Davis
Rob and Susan Fleming
Scott and Diane Hamilton
Scott and Patricia McCormick
Stephen and Jane Ricklefs
Stuart Oxer
The DeClerck Family
Therese E. Benson
Vicki Hedlin
Werner Fick
Athene
Bankers Trust
Foster Group
Greater Iowa Credit Union
Mid American Energy
Pauline Neibur
Veridian
Voya
Willis Auto
Citizenship Education Partnerships
Des Moines Public Library
Iowa Migration Movement for Justice
Global Greens Partnerships
Aging Resources of Central Iowa
Burundian Iowans Association
Conlin Properties
Creative Visions
Des Moines Parks & Recreation
First Baptist – Johnston
Forest Avenue Outreach
In Harmony Farm
Institute for Social and Economic Development
Intentional Eucharistic Community
Iowa Food System Coalition
Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation
ISU Extension
JOPPA
Joshua Christian Academy
Lutheran Church of Hope-Ankeny
Practical Farmers of Iowa
Resurrection Lutheran
Rodale Institute
St. Andrew’s Episcopal
St. Stephen Lutheran Church
St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church
Sustainable Iowa Land Trust
Tension Corporation
Tufts University
Val Vista Estates
Valley Community Center
Vineyard Church
Walnut Hills Church
Watchmen’s Community Garden
Westminster Presbyterian Church
Match and Save Partnerships
Catherine McAuley Center
Dupaco Credit Union
Greater Iowa Credit Union
Habitat for Humanity
Veridian Credit Union
Child Care Partnerships
Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Child Care Bureau
Iowa Women’s Foundation
Community Based English as a Second Language Partnerships
Bureau of Refugee Services BRS)
Catholic Charities (USCCB)
Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC)
International Rescue Committee (IRC)
Refugee Alliance of Central Iowa (RACI)
U.S. Committee onRefugee and Immigrants (USCRI)
Career Pathways Partnerships
DMACC
Iowa Works
Signature Healthcare
Citizenship Education Partnerships
Des Moines Public Library
Iowa Migration Movement for Justice
Elected Officials
Workforce Development
DMACC
Eveyln K Davis Center
Iowa Works
Signature Healthcare
Elders and Food Box Program
Aging Resources of Central Iowa
Capital City Fruit
Des Moies Art Center Community Access Program
DMARC
Eat Greater Des Moines
FarmTable Delivery
Golden Land Food Mart
Iowa Food Coop
Namaste Nepali Grocery
Resettlement
Blank Children’s Hospital
Broadlawns Medical Center
Bureau of Refugee Services, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services
Community Action Agency of Siouxland
Dental Connections
Des Moines Area Community College
Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART)
Des Moines University Clinic
Drake Refugee Clinic
Free Store
IMPACT Community Action Partnership
Iowa Dept of Human Services
Iowa Dept. of Public Health
Iowa Finance Authority
Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice
Mary J. Treglia Community House
Mary’s Helping Hands
One Siouxland
Refugee Alliance of Central Iowa
Safe Kids Iowa
Siouxland Community Health Center
Veridian Credit Union
Wells Fargo
Western Iowa Tech Community College
Family Reunification and Trafficking Victim Assistance Program (Aspire-children TVAP-adults) Safe Release Support Services
Ben Bergmann
Des Moines Public Schools
Emely Sinwell- Iowa City
Iowa Coalition against domestic violence –Isabel Martinez Santos –Legal Clinic
José Herrera- Clarión
LUNA
Office of Latino Affairs
Primary Health Care
Raziel Argueta
Sonia Parras Immigration Law Office
USCRI Des Moines
Aging Resources
City of Des Moines
Dollar General
Everystep
Farm Credit Services of America
Grace Lutheran Church
Heartland Alliance
Immanuel Vision Foundation
Iowa Bureau of Refugee Services
Iowa Department of Human Services
Iowa Department of Management-Early Childhood Iowa
Iowa Dept.of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
Iowa Women’s Foundation
Kind World Foundation of the Siouxland
Lutheran Church of Hope
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS)
Missouri River Historical Development, Inc.
Polk County
Polk County Decategorization
Polk County Early Childhood Iowa
Tyson’s
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants
United Way of Central Iowa
US Department of Agriculture
US Department of Homeland Security
US Dept. of Health and Human Services- Office of Refugee Resettlement
Veridian Credit Union
Augustana Lutheran Church
Bethany Lutheran Church
Bethany Lutheran Church
Bethany Lutheran Church
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Christ Community Church
Des Moines Intentional Eucharistic Community Church
Elgin Lutheran Church
Emanuel Lutheran Church
Faith Lutheran Church
Fe Y Esperanza Umc
First Lutheran Church
First United Methodist
Fredsville Lutheran Church
Galilean Lutheran Church
Glen Echo Christian Church
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
Immanuel Lutheran Church
Immanuel Lutheran Church
Lunder Lutheran Church
Lutheran Church Of Hope
New Beginnings Christian Church
Northeastern Iowa Synodical Women’s Organization
Our Savior’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
Peace Lutheran Church
Peace Lutheran Church
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Resurrection Lutheran Church
Rock Creek Lutheran Church
South Enes/New Hope Lutheran
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
St. James Lutheran Church
St. James Lutheran Church
St. John American Lutheran Church
St. John Lutheran Church
St. John Lutheran Church
St. John’s Lutheran Church
St. Mark Lutheran Church
St. Mark Lutheran Church
St. Mark Lutheran Church
St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church
St. Paul Lutheran Church
St. Paul’s Evening Circle
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church
Swedesburg Lutheran Church
Trinity Lutheran Church
Trinity Lutheran Church
Western Iowa Synod – Elca
Western Iowa Synod – Elca
Windsor Heights Lutheran Church
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church (Jubilee)
Zion Lutheran Church
Back Country
Bob’s Discount Furniture
Businessolver
GreenState Credit Union
Project 7 Design, Inc.
Veridian