Lutheran Social Services National Capital Area

Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (LSSNCA) walks with those in need and mobilizes community partners to provide services that offer hope and rebuild lives. In our Refugee and Immigrant Services (RIS) program, staff, volunteers, and community members work in unison to welcome refugees, asylees, parolees, and other forcibly displaced people to the United States and begin their resettlement journey.Staff in this program pave the pathway in the D.C. metro areafor resettling families and individuals by providinglegal,financial,employment,education,housing, and case management support.

LSSNCA is proud to welcome hundreds of refugees from around the world to the United States every year. From the moment a refugee arrives at the airport, our staff is at the gate to welcome, provide guidance, encouragement, and other support services. While each familys story is different, their collective dreams are the same: to rebuild their lives inthe U.S. and regain a sense of security after years of uncertainty and turmoil. We support our clients during this important transition by mobilizing community partners and offering a comprehensive range of services to newcomers including refugee assistance, employment training and immigration services throughout Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia.

Volunteershelp make our work possible in the community by workingdirectly with refugee families (e.g.,family and youth mentors, tutors, and employment coaches)or alongside our teams (e.g., in areas of administrative support, employment services, and advocacy).

Student volunteersare welcome to receive SSL hours on a limited ad hoc basis through in-person group activities or projects supervised by an LSS staff member. Examplescould include organizing in-kind donations in storage or volunteering duringWorld Refugee Day activities on site.