Recent email from Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest
What does it mean to be a refugee?
By definition, a refugee is a person who has been forced to leave their country due to persecution, war, or a natural disaster. It is usually a decision made in time of desperation when options are limited to one: escape. Refugees could be anyone, people like you and me, who are forced to make the decision between facing persecution or fleeing their homes.
Refugees are different from asylum-seekers, because they have qualified for their status as refugees before entering the United States.
Asking ourselves the bigger questions…
Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest has a long history of serving those in need, and this extension of Christ’s hand is not limited to refugees. However, in 2019 the number of allowed refugees into the U.S. was dropped to 30,000 from the historical average of 95,000. For LSS-SW, that meant we went from serving 1300 refugees in Arizona to only 400. Meanwhile, over 25.4 million refugees around the world pray for mercy.
What Can I do?
- Attend an informational session this month (hosted in Tempe, Tucson, and the West Valley,) where you can learn about the current refugee resettlement crisis – register here
- Sponsor a newly arrived refugee family (more information will be shared at the session above.)
- Share a personal story about sponsoring a refugee or volunteering with refugees
- Participate in our No Refugee Left Behind campaign and write a postcard or attend a legislative meeting
- Plan your 2019 gift to Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest, and take advantage of the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit
To LCM alum (2007) Ian Lee, now living in London with wife Holly and working for CBS. 