Lutheran Refugee Service in Central PA

Description

Some of the services provided through our agency include:

Case Processing (AOR's, VISA 93): Persons who entered the U.S. as a refugee or obtained asylum in this country may be able to apply for their family members, by filing an Affidavidit of Relationship (AOR).

Resettlement Reception and Placement: LRS works with families and congregations to ensure that new refugee arrivals become self-sufficient as soon as possible. Families are expected to assume responsibility for arriving family members, including housing, food, transportation and material assistance. LRS seeks congregations to assist refugees who do not have family here.

Employment Services: Refugees and asylees are generally eligible for either Matching Grant assistance or the state funded RSS employment program. LRS will assist clients in getting connected to the services that they need to locate and secure a job.

Immigration Program: LRS is recognized by the Bureau of Immigration Appeals (BIA) to provide a variety of immigration legal services to the community. We currently provide assistance with green card applications, family petitions, replacement documents, and citizenship.

Counseling for Survivors of Torture: LRS offers services for restoring hope and providing healing for torture survivors, and facilitates access to a broad network of medical and legal assistance.

English as a Second Language Classes (ESL): Offered at churches and community centers across the region.

Unaccompanied Refugee Minors: Provided through LCFS Foster Care, this program provides semi-independent living opportunities for foreign-born children who arrive in the U.S. without their parents or legal guardians.