Five years ago, Gaylene’s life looked very different. She was overwhelmed and raising three young boys, Ethan, Cristian, and Alex. Finances were strained, so she and her partner, José, worked hard to make ends meet. Suddenly, well into her second trimester, Gaylene learned she was pregnant with her daughter, Julieanna. Left with less time to...
Earlier this summer, LSI hosted a ribbon cutting for a new 12-acre urban agriculture farm in Pleasant Hill, just east of Des Moines. The land was donated by Phyllis Childers. The land will be used as part of LSI’s Global Greens program, which is offered through LSI’s Refugee and Immigrant Services and provides farming land...
You see so much negative, but people are good. People were willing to put money towards someone they don’t even know just to make a difference."
Sometimes life surprises you. Abby, a western Iowa social worker, was starting her journey to become a foster parent when she learned she was pregnant. “My first foster placement was when I was 36 weeks pregnant as a single mom,” Abby says. “It’s not easy, but anybody can do it and it’s always the right...
Sarah Green joined Team LSI earlier this summer as our new Vice President of Philanthropy and Church Relations. She has a heart for this work, and is truly dedicated to LSI’s mission of providing hope and healing to so many of our neighbors. She comes to LSI from Blessman International, where she worked as the...
By George Hanusa LSI has had many notable executives in its long history, but none as outstanding as Leonard C. Larsen. He lived service. In the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict, his training as a psychiatric social worker enabled him to help those suffering from PTSD. After his military service, he and his wife,...
If we could all work together, it could make a difference and make our world a better place.”
1. Introduce yourself! What is your role at LSI and how long have you been a member of the team? My name is Ka Hsa and I have been with LSI for almost nine years as a Bilingual Community Associate and Social Worker. 2. What keeps you passionate about the work you do at LSI?...
We want Iowa to be a good place for immigrants and refugees, and we work hard for that within LSI.”
1. Introduce yourself! What is your role at LSI and how long have you been a member of the team? My name is Ruaa and I’ve been with LSI for two years. I started as a Registration Associate and after one year, I became a Child Care Specialist. 2. What keeps you passionate about the...
I feel blessed to be a part of the great work of compassion and love that LSI is doing for immigrant and refugee families.”
1. Introduce yourself! What is your role at LSI and how long have you been a member of the team? My name is Patrick Karemera. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the National University of Rwanda, and I have been member of the LSI team as an Administrative Assistant since October 2019. 2....
