The refugee and immigrant services program of Lutheran Services Carolinas(LSC) is entering an unprecedented period of growth. The expansion is being fueled in large part by the arrival of many families from Afghanistan who escaped death or persecution at the hands of the Taliban.
LSC has provided refugee and immigrant services in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Columbia, South Carolina for many years. New service sites are currently being established in Greenville and Charleston in South Carolina and Asheville in North Carolina.
Accompanying the program’s exciting expansion is a new name: New Americans Program.
“Refugee” is a label and an immigration status that is frequently misunderstood by the general public. Unfortunately, it carries connotations that are often anything but accurate.
“New Americans” more accurately reflects the program’s focus on the future of those served, rather than their pasts.
LSC will continue to partner with Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) on most programs, and the program’s essential and biblical mission of “welcoming the stranger” will not change.
“Lutheran Services Carolinas has been serving the neighbor, refugees and immigrants, since 1979,” said LSC President and CEO Ted Goins. “Our great nation has been creating new Americans since its birth in 1776! LSC is proud to carry on this 245-year red, white, and blue tradition.”
LSC will be hiring a director for its New Americans Program to lead this growing and exciting work. For more information, go to www.LSCarolinas.net or call 1-800-HELPING.