Lutheran Services in Iowa is expanding refugee resettlement to the Waterloo/Cedar Falls area, thanks to the support of local and state leaders and approval by the U.S. State Department, and our resettlement partner, Global Refuge.
This marks a revitalization of our resettlement services in Waterloo/Cedar Falls, as LSI welcomed almost 256 refugees to the community from 2000 to 2012. Starting in the spring of 2024, we will restart welcoming refugees to the Cedar Valley area. Additional immigrant and refugee services are also planned to start in 2024 in Waterloo/Cedar Falls. LSI will be the only resettlement agency in the Waterloo/Cedar Falls area.
We will continue offering current LSI services to the community, including Early Childhood Services, Host Homes, Therapy Services, and Respite Care.
In addition to resettlement services, LSI Immigrant and Refugee Community Services will expand services to immigrants and refugees already living and working in and around the Cedar Valley area. Our commitment to the Cedar Valley community expands past the initial 90 days of refugee resettlement services; as we begin working in the area, we will continue to find ways to expand our empowerment programs for local immigrants and refugees.
For more information about resettlement in Cedar Valley, click here to read our FAQs.
Meet Kahamu Rashidi, a refugee from Congo, and his friend, Dan Bean, who helped welcome the family to Iowa.
“I was very happy. I could cry. I can’t forget that day when I saw Dan.
He knew me. I wasn’t alone. There was somebody with me.
I had reached a new land, and I’m safe.”
Immigrant and refugee services in Waterloo/Cedar Falls
Refugee resettlement, including cultural and employment support for newly arrived refugees
Preferred Communities
Short-term case management and support for qualifying refugees or humanitarian parolees
Individual Development Accounts
(Match and Save)
Financial education and training for immigrants and former refugees as they build their new life in the U.S.
Child Care Business Development
Business support for immigrants, refugees, and non-English speakers who wish to start or grow an in-home daycare
Q: Where will refugees being resettled in Cedar Valley come from?
A: We expect individuals and families will be resettled to Waterloo from countries worldwide. Many refugees are fleeing violence or war and cannot return home. Refugees arriving in Waterloo may come from:
- Africa: Central African Republic, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Sudan, South Sudan,
- Asia: Myanmar (Burma)
- Central America: El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras
- Middle East: Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria
- South America: Venezuela
It is not the first time LSI has helped refugees resettle to Waterloo. In the 1990s, LSI helped a significant number of Bosnian families resettle to the area.
Q: How many refugees will be resettled in Cedar Valley?
A: We aim to resettle 150 refugees in Waterloo per year. Each year, the United States sets a ceiling on the number of refugees it agrees to accept. The U.S. President establishes the number in consultation with Congress.
The federal ceiling was set at 125,000 refugees for the 2024 fiscal year. They will be welcomed and resettled across the country.
Q: How will LSI be staffing the Cedar Valley services?
A: We are currently hiring direct-service and leadership positions serving for our Waterloo office. View current LSI job openings in Waterloo and around the state. Employment benefits can be found here.
Q: Where is the LSI Waterloo office located?
A: LSI will be moving into a building located at 3640 University Ave. in Waterloo. All LSI services will be housed out of the Waterloo office, including:
- Therapy Services
- Host Homes
- Early Childhood Services
- Respite Services
- Immigrant and Refugee Community Services
Q: What are the benefits of welcoming refugees to Cedar Valley?
A: We have seen a positive impact on communities welcoming refugees, such as helping the community grow in population and workforce. Former refugees who live in Waterloo with relatives overseas can now request their family be reunited by having their loved ones directly resettled in Waterloo.
We have also seen local businesses and the economy improve as refugees share their skills and gifts with the community through the workforce and by starting businesses.
A March 2022 study found that immigrants are 80 percent more likely to start a business than U.S.-born individuals. Another study found refugees are the most likely to start businesses.
Q: How was the Cedar Valley community involved in this decision?
A: LSI visited with local leaders from government, schools, businesses, health care providers, landlords, and existing immigrant communities during initial conversations in November and December 2022. Many Waterloo leaders expressed pride in how welcoming the community is to immigrants, as many Waterloo residents with immigrant backgrounds chose to move to the community after initially arriving in the United States elsewhere. Leaders showed a strong interest in offering refugee resettlement services again in the community. They wrote letters of support in an application to the U.S. Department of State, which oversees resettlement programs.
Iowa’s State Refugee Coordinator also submitted a letter of support. The coordinator is part of the Bureau of Refugee Services, part of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. The U.S. State Department approved the expansion of services in August 2023.
Q: Why was Cedar Valley selected as a resettlement site?
A: Resettlement programs are designed as a public-private partnership. The most successful resettlement programs have a coordinated and supportive community with a joint mission to welcome and support new arrivals.
In addition to community support and collaboration, the greater Waterloo area had the following key indicators, which are typically found in communities where resettlement is successful:
- Employment opportunities
- Lower cost of living
- Availability and access to social services
- Affordable and available housing
- Supportive public schools
- Supportive community college
- Access to health care services
- Access to public transportation
- Support by local governments
- Support by community organizations
- Support by faith communities
In addition, LSI previously provided resettlement services in Waterloo. We had positive, collaborative relationships with nonprofits, organizations, businesses, and the great community at the time.
Based on conversations with local leaders, we look forward to continuing strong and cooperative relationships as we join together in welcoming refugees to Waterloo.
WAYS TO HELP
DONATE
There are multiple ways to financially support LSI’s efforts to welcome refugees and immigrants to Iowa through one-time and recurring contributions. Every dollar donated goes directly toward welcoming, equipping, and uplifting new Iowans to build their lives and homes here. You can also donate new or gently used items with newly arrived individuals and families. Please explore our options below and learn how you, your family, or your church or work group can help.
FUND A FAMILY
While LSI receives some federal financial assistance to resettle refugee families, this reimbursement does not begin to cover all expenses associated with supporting their needs. We are committed to providing newly resettled individuals and families with all of the resources needed to thrive here in Iowa. It costs about $10,000 to resettle a family of four. Through Fund a Family, you can directly help offset these costs.
While newly resettled arrivals in the U.S. receive funding from the federal government to help with expenses for their first 90 days, it is not always enough to meet the needs of amilies until they become self-sufficient. LSI has seen that an extra $ 2,500 per family is typically needed to help families get a new start in Iowa.
This opportunity is perfect for youth groups, corporate partners, congregations, families, or faith communities. Individuals are also encouraged to sponsor and fundraise to individually fund a family!
To learn more or to sign up to Fund a Family, e-mail Michael.Knipp@LSIowa.org.
IN-KIND GIFTS
In Des Moines, Sioux City, and the Cedar Valley, LSI is in need of a large variety of in-kind items to equip and support resettlement efforts. These items, including cookware and dish sets, bedding and linens, and cleaning supplies, will be directly given to individuals and families.
NOTE: Unfortunately, we cannot accept clothing. Please donate clothing to local organizations that do accept clothing; we advise our clients to utilize these resources.
We have organized these needs into Welcome Boxes explained here or can accept individual items listed here.
For list of urgent needs or to coordinate drop off, contact Michael.Knipp@LSIowa.org.
VOLUNTEER
It takes a community to welcome new arrivals to Iowa. We are stronger together! Much of our work with newly resettled individuals and families is led by LSI staff; however, we need the support of volunteers to organize donations, set up apartments, and more.
All volunteers will be processed through an application system and will undergo a background check and reference review in order to keep our clients, volunteers, and staff safe. All positions will receive proper training for the tasks assigned. There is no long-term commitment for volunteering at LSI. Click here to see our current volunteer opportunities.
For questions about individual volunteer opportunities or to set up a group volunteer activity, email Volunteer@LSIowa.org.
About LSI
LSI is one of Iowa’s largest human services agencies and impacts thousands of Iowans annually through immigrant and refugee services, child abuse prevention, services for families and youth in crisis, and services for people with disabilities.
LSI has provided resettlement services for more than four decades. It established what is now known as Immigrant and Refugee Community Services in 2010 to address the shortage of long-term support and skill-building for refugees, which supports their long-term self-sufficiency. Key LSI service hubs are located in Des Moines, Sioux City, and Waterloo.
LSI is nationally accredited and proudly serves people of all ages, abilities, religions, sexes, gender identities, national origins, ethnicities, races, and sexual orientations.