LCFS Refugee Resettlement Program

A Life of Giving

 Written by Kristen Reed

Barbara Slotter, a Lancaster resident, has delighted Lancaster Refugee Services with her recent generosity.  Barbara has donated her retirement stipend to the office to further assist refugee families.

Barbara has devoted a life to giving.  She was the church secretary at Grace Lutheran Church for 46 years, and has been active both there and in the community.  Teaching Sunday School, volunteering at the Lancaster Public Library, working with Habitat for Humanity, supporting the After School Program, and working on Lutheran World Relief quilts, are just a few roles that Barbara has undertaken. 

During her early years of employment, Barbara studied at Franklin & Marshall College to earn her Bachelors of Arts degree in Sociology and Anthropology.  This is where Barbara first developed her interest in people from other cultures. 

Barbara also has been involved with our organization.  Starting in February of 2009, she has become very active with resettling an Iraqi refugee family of five.  Barbara’s primary involvement today is to help the oldest son, a third grader, with his homework.  According to Barbara, “Because his parents speak little English, he needs help frequently with his homework, so I usually hear a knock on my door almost every school night.” Barbara has been able to witness first-hand both the joys and challenges that refugee families face. 

Lutheran Refugee Service is very grateful to Barbara for her generosity and are looking forward to working with her more in the future!

LCFS Employee of the Year 2010

Written by Kristen Reed

Joseph Lian, a case manager at Lutheran Refugee Service in Lancaster, PA, was awarded "LCFS Employee of the Year 2010" on January 11, 2011.  This award was given in recognition for his hard work as an employee and Burmese community member; he went beyond his job description to help his clients and coworkers alike. 

Joseph was forced to leave his country in 1999 and lived in Malaysia and Thailand.  In 2003 he applied for refugee status, and in August of 2008, Joseph finally arrived in the United States.  Joseph started working in this office two months after arriving in the United States and switched to full-time in January of 2009. 

Joseph is interested in journalism and politics, and has even written his own political magazine.  He graduated from college in Malaysia with a degree in Information Technology.  Working with computers, reading, and eating spicy food are a few of the things that Joseph enjoys. 

Joseph is a dedicated employee at Lutheran Refugee Service.  He is very involved in the Burmese community, both at work and in his free time.  Joseph's favorite aspect of his job is when he has the opportunity to listen to his clients' feelings and concerns about their lives here in the United States and seeing how these change throughout the year as the clients learn to adapt.  Joseph enjoys being able to see how his clients' lives improve as they are given the opportunity to start over.  Joseph would like to "thank all of the coworkers and staff in this office" for their help and support throughout the year.  

 

Joseph(left) receiving his award from Todd Miller the Program Director of LCFS.

“Awards of Excellence” for LRS Partners, Employees, and Clients

Written By: Edina Bilalovic

July 13 marked the first day of the PA Refugee Resettlement Consultation. The Consultation is held annually for the different refugee service providers and their partners in PA. The event was held at the Willow Valley/Doubletree Resort in Lancaster, PA. The Lutheran Refugee Services staff attended the two day event and the various workshops the Consultation offered.

At this annual event the Refugee Resettlement Program of Pennsylvania also honors and acknowledges local groups, individuals and agencies for their Excellence in their field. One of the awards is for local employers that use the employment services offered by the Refugee Resettlement Agencies. Meaning they are a great source of employment for refugees, despite of the difficulties a new hire might bring, they look past that and give the refugees a chance to prove themselves. The state also honors professional excellence of service providers in particular employees. Lastly but not least the Award of Excellence in Citizenship honors Refugees who have accomplished and achieved great strives in their new home, but most importantly in  made an positive impact in their community.

The Award of Excellence in the first category honoring local employers went to Tyson Foods one of our greatest partners and employers in the Lancaster, PA area.The Award of Excellence in the second category went to our own LRS Employment Specialist Andy Kalala, who over the years has demonstrated great teamwork and passion for his job and most importantly for his clients.

 

The LRS and Tyson Foods team.

 

 

The Award of Excellence in the last category went to David Lian who arrived in the United States in 2008. Since then he has made great progress as and individual and as a community member. David is serving as a Pastor to the Chin Burmese community here in Lancaster PA.

 

Andy Kalala (left) and David Lian (right) with thier Awards. 

 

  
 

A Day of Celebration

 

Text and  Photos contributed by Raylena Church Fields.

 

Turkish baklava made to sweet perfection served with a powerful little cup of Turkish coffee, much more like American espresso,  were just two of the yummie delicacies newly arrived refugees offered to the steady stream of curious neighbors who came from across Lancaster to Eastern Market on East King Street to sample foods, shop for crafts, and dance to music from worlds far from central Pennsylvania.

 Refugees are people the U.S. State Department recognizes cannot return to their homelands for fear of persecution.  Before they are resettled in new lands, refugees spend months and even years in a range of difficult circumstances in refugee camps, often devoid of basic human dignities.

Whether I spoke with a band of friends from Bhutan, excited about wearing their traditional clothing, or a man who could somehow remain squatted for hours, his hands rapidly kneading strands of bamboo into baskets, the refugees talked about freedom –being free from war and persecution.  English is still a big challenge, but the word freedom they have grasped.

The event showcased the rich vibrancy of cultures of Nepal, Bhutan, Burma,Iraq, the Republic of Congo, Somalia ,Turkey, and Tanzania.  It was sponsored by Eastern Market, Church World Services of Lancaster and the Lutheran Refugee Services in Central Pennsylvania.   It was a lesson in geography, world affairs, and the service of humanity.

The organizations work to find housing and employment for the refugees, and often relying upon local churches, organizations, and caring individuals, help them assimilate into the culture of Central and Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Refugee vendors lined tables with handmade wares. There were glistening beaded necklaces handcrafted by  two women from Nepal. Tuba and Hilal ran the Turkish baklava and coffee stand. A few tables down there were purses, scarves and other items made from traditional cloths. It was a shopper’s delight.

There was an amazing sitar player. Loiu from Iraq, skillfully entertained the crowd on his electric keyboard.  Mesmerized, a young Tanzanian boy drew close to watch his hands gently commanding his keys of ebony and irony.

A dancing circle of Nepalese women soon enticed all sorts of people to dance to the ethnic rhythms pounded out by drum teams. The Kid Capoeira martial arts troupe turned martial arts into dance routines. Various drum circles also took center stage. Children danced in the circles or wherever there was space if they were not getting artists to paint their faces. One face painter, a man from the Congo, delighted in the spirit of the day. In America, he said, he has the right to work for his dream and become a doctor.

Inside of having their faces painted, adults born and raised in Lancaster or Timbuktu had artists draw lacy henna designs onto their arms. People of all hues and from any number of countries celebrated themselves, each other and their new hope, and their new home, Lancaster.

 

World Refugee Day 2010 Celebration

 

Displaced children outside a school in Mardan.© UNHCR/H.Caux

Everyone is welcome at Lancaster's third-annual World Refugee Day celebration, to be held on Saturday, June 19th from 10 am until 2pm at the Eastern Market, 308 E. King Street, Lancaster.

The event will include ethnic cuisine, arts and crafts from countries such as Nepal, Burma and Iraq, and a variety of locally grown flowers and produce. Children’s activities and international music and dance will be performed throughout the day as well. Admission is free and the event is open to the public.

World Refugee Day was first recognized by the United Nations General Assembly on June 20, 2000 in order to celebrate the many contributions of refugees around the world as well as to raise public awareness on refugee issues. Since then, World Refugee Day has been celebrated in hundreds of cities throughout the world.  It is estimated by the United Nations that today there are more than 18 million refugees worldwide.

The event is being jointly sponsored by the Eastern Market, Church World Service / Lancaster, and Lutheran Refugee Services in Central PA.  If you would like more information, or if you would like to help with the event, please contact Edina Bilalovic at 717-397-4757 or Jackie Sahd at 717-381-2893.

LCFS Lancaster office held a reception welcoming Linda Hartke the new president of LIRS

On Monday, February 22, 2010 the site office of LCFS held the reception welcoming Linda Hartke, the new president of the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service. 　Participants in the reception included the LIRS president Linda Hartke, her board of staff, executive director of LCFS Rich Gitlen, LLS CEO Dr. Luanne B. Fisher, director of URM program Peter Gottemoller, LCFS directors Dr. Denise Berte and Janet Panning, executive director of PIRC Angela E. Eveler and Department of State program advisor Charlotte Fry. The event was also attended by our church sponsors, pastors, volunteers, the Red Rose Foundation and current clients of the resettlement program.　

The Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) is a champion for uprooted people and is one of the nation’s leading agencies serving refugees and immigrants. In Pennsylvania, LIRS is proud to partner with Lutheran Children and Family Service, an affiliate of Liberty Lutheran Services and the Pennsylvania Immigration Resource Center to serve refugees and asylum seekers.

Ms. Hartke comes to the LIRS with a wealth of knowledge and experience with faith-based organizations in the United States and internationally, most recently serving as executive director of the Geneva-based Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance. Prior to this post she worked with Church World Service for many years, serving first as country director in Cambodia until she assumed the role of director of programs and operations.

　Guests at the event enjoyed various forms of cultural food. Dr. Luanne Fisher introduced the new president of the LIRS to the guests. 　Hartke accepted everyone's greetings, and we were honored to host her at our event. Everybody enjoyed the event that our Lancaster staff organized.　

   
  

 

2009 Employer of the Year Event

Lancaster LCFS recently awarded Tyson Food as the employer of the year. Tyson Food had a long working relationship and Tyson Food has been a dependable employer for our clients in Lancaster area. The event took place at Tyson Food facilities in New Holland PA on January 15, 2010. The LCFS staff and upper management of Tyson Food participated in the recognition event. Tyson Food was recognized as 2009 employer of the year for the services they provided for the clients during past year. LCFS is looking forward to work with Tyson Food in the coming years to help them in their staffing needs.

 

World Refugee Day Event: June 20

 

Everyone is welcome at Lancaster's second-annual World Refugee Day celebration, to be held on June 2oth at the Eastern Market, 308 E. King Street.  Beginning at 9am, the event will feature multi-cultural cuisine, international arts and crafts and a variety of other locally-grown fresh flowers and produce for sale from Eastern Market vendors.  Children's activities will be available and live international music will be performed throughout the day.   A short program will be held from 10:30am to 2:00pm.

Countries around the globe have long recognized June 20 as World Refugee Day.  It is a day to celebrate the many contributions of refugees, and raise public awareness of the millions around the world who have been forced to flee their homes and are still waiting for permanent solutions.  According to the United Nations High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR) there are currently 17 million refugees and other "people of concern" scattered throughout the globe.

Last year's event in Lancaster drew approximately 700 people to the Eastern Market, including local refugees, sponsoring groups, and other interested community members.  This year, representatives of local refugee resettlement organizations, the Lancaster mayor's office, the PA State Refugee Program, and local refugees themselves have again been invited to participate.  There is no admission fee, and the public is encouraged to come out and celebrate the many contributions of refugees in our local community and around the world.

The event is being jointly sponsored by the East King Improvement District, Church World Service / Lancaster, and Lutheran Refugee Services in Central PA.  For more information, please contact Beth May at 717-381-2891 or Andrea Miller at 717-397-4757.

We Need Your Help!

At Lutheran Refugee Services, our mission is to "Welcome the Stranger" living in our midst - many whom have come from countries of extreme turmoil and tragedy.  Despite the current economic downturn, we believe that the United States still offers hope and opportunity to those whom the rest of the world has forgotten.  Yet as government funding for the U.S. Refugee Program fails to keep pace with the true costs of resettlement, we are experiencing increasing challenges as we attempt to fulfill our calling to extend hospitality and love.

Providing this welcome requires the support of you, our community.  Here are ways that you can get involved:

 

Sponsorship:  A four-month committment to guide and assist a newly-arrived refugee family.  Includes helping find and furnish an apartment, provide transportation to appointments, seek employment, and be their mentors and friends!  We expect the following families to arrive in the coming months, who do not yet have a sponsor.  Would your church or group of friends consider welcoming them in this way?

• Somali couple with 2-year old son
• Chin Burmese families
• Iraqi family of 4
• Iraqi family of 6
• Cuban family of 3
• Nepali Bhutanese families of 7, 5, and 4 people

Welcome Boxes:  This is a great project for a Sunday School class, book club, or another group that doesn't feel ready to sponsor a family... but still wants to help!  These boxes are given to families when they move in to their new homes.  Information about how to assemble a box can be obtained by calling 717-397-4757, or clicking here.  We are in urgent need of the following:

• Bathroom Box (pack in laundry basket)
• Kitchen Box (pack in garbage can)
• Bedroom Box
• School Kits (pack in book-bag)
• Tool Kit (pack in small carry case)

Emergency Housing Fund:  This fund is used to support families going through financial hardship, or to help pay for rent/utility costs for those who do not have a church sponsor.  Your gift is fully tax-deductible, and 100% goes to support a refugee family.  We are in urgent need of donations to this fund.  You may either send your contribution to our office (123 E Vine Street Lancaster, PA 17602), or click here to make an online-contribution.  Please specify your gift for the Refugee Emergency Housing Fund.

Volunteers!  We are always grateful for those who sign up to assist our families in other ways also.  Even one person can make a difference!  We need transportation volunteers, temporary hosts, employers, landlords, ESL tutors, and the list goes on...!

For more infomation about any of these opportunities or information about other ways that you can assist a refugee family, please contact Nan Garber, Resource Developer.  She can be reached at 717-397-4757 or [email protected].  On behalf of the vulnerable families we serve, THANK YOU!

A Burmese Family Finds Peace and Love, Thanks to Lutheran Churches

A family of five was able to escape persecution in Burma thanks to a ministry team of Refugee Sponsorship called Lutheran Community Outreach (LCO).  LCO is the conbination of five churches: Brickerville United Lutheran, St. Paul Lutheran Lititiz, St. Paul Lutheran Pennryn, Salem Lutheran, and Zion Lutheran.

The family of Burmese refugees arrived to the United States on March 18, 2009 after a 22-hour flight from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  After a layover at JFK Airport, members of the LCO and a Lutheran Refugee Services caseworker welcomed them at the Lancaster Airport around midnight.

 

What a long and grueling journey for such a young family; father John is 30 years old, mother Mang is 32 years old, eldest son Samuel is 15, second daughter Gracy is 12 and youngest daughter Jessica is only one year old.

 

Within two weeks of their arrival, the family started attending ESL classes with the help of the church sponsor group.  The refugees are also able to adapt faster to American life thanks to the kindness of a church member named Susan, who has opened her home to host them for about 2 months.  In a very short period, Susan and the family have become dear friends.

 

Samuel and Gracy have received the required immunization shots for school registration.  They are both very excited to go to school, to meet new friends and speak the English they are learning.  They are preparing for the upcoming school years during this summer holiday.

 

The family has taken to the small town of Lititz well, and they enjoy the neighborhood they live in greately.  They treasure the early morning spring breezes, and the children love to ride bicycles around the neighborhood in the early evening.  On Sundays, they are invited to their sponsor churches for the morning service and sometimes they also visit to the Lancaster Chin Burmese Christian Fellowship's evening worship service.

 

Since their arrival, the church sponsor group has also provided them with transportation to go shopping and to any appointments.

 

Joseph Lian, a Burmese refugee himself, has been the caseworker working closely with the family. "By working as a liaison between the refugees and those supporting them, I've started realizing that kindness and love are the power of human spirit.  As a refugee myself, I've often thought that we are resettled and accepted by a country because of their wealth.  Now I feel that we are here because of the kindness of the people here and we are building a new life thanks to their caring hearts."