Nick_web

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

15261526 boxes of food delivered to seniors
350000$350,000 + in farmer income
240240 CSA members
4545+ acres growing food
332332 individuals using their SNAP benefits at the Farmers Market - total purchases amounting to $226,070
1111 graduates of the GG program are now renting land on their own
2020 urban gardens w/ 198 gardeners
7743077,430 pounds of produce grown

Community Navigator Program

207Served 207 small businesses
17001700 hours of 1:1 counseling
1900000Applied for $1.9 million in funding

VITA

140Assisted 140 households in 15 language groups
319000$319,000 in returns

Match and Save (IDA) Program

238918Provided $238,918 in savings matches to 71 participants
1000000Resulting in over $1 million in assets to immigrant communities

Citizenship

123123 participants in our citizenship classes and 58 individuals became naturalized citizens. (goal was 120 students)

Resettlement

252Des Moines had 252 arrivals Sioux City had 62 arrivals
8080% self–sufficient after 6 months
9494% self-sufficient after 8 months
100%100% had access to employer health insurance
16Average starting pay $16.59/hr

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

Need Help?