For Immediate Release
LSS seeking important donations
to assist in resettlement of refugees
Twin beds, kitchen tables and chairs, couches
among items most needed to help establish homes
in Jacksonville during peak period over next six weeks
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Aug. 19, 2008) - Refugee resettlement in the Jacksonville area for 2008 will reach its peak over the next six weeks, and Lutheran Social Services and The Sharing Place Thrift Store are asking the First Coast for assistance.
Twin beds, kitchen tables and chairs, and couches are among the items most needed by The Sharing Place, which provides such items at no cost to refugees who are being legally resettled.
As part of its contract with the federal government, the LSS Refugee and Immigration Program resettles between 250-300 refugees per year who arrive in the Jacksonville area. One of the primary functions of LSS is to place refugee families into permanent housing, which includes providing basic items such as kitchen utensils, bedding and furniture.
The majority of the items used by LSS in establishing these living quarters are provided through The Sharing Place. More than 40 refugees have been resettled by LSS in the month of August, and that number is expected to increase by more than 50 percent in September.
As refugees continue to arrive, the need for household items also increases. Those interested in donating such items can contact Lutheran Social Services at 904.448.5995 or e-mail lhale@lss.org to schedule a pickup. Items can be dropped off at The Sharing Place, located at 4615 Philips Highway.
Of the more than 50,000 refugees resettled annually in the United States, most have been forced to leave their native countries due to political or religious persecution, famine, war, natural disasters or other instability. They arrive in foreign countries - which are assigned by the United Nations and not awarded by choice - seeking a new life and a new start.
Organizations like LSS help them acclimate to their new surroundings by providing life skills training, English classes, job placement opportunities and support services for family and youth. The LSS Refugee and Immigration program has resettled refugees on the First Coast since its establishment in 1980.
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About Lutheran Social Services of Northeast Florida
Lutheran Social Services was formed in 1979 by area Lutherans and business leaders to fill gaps in services offered in the community for people in need. The first program of the agency was the Food Network, a precursor to the Second Harvest Food Bank of North Florida, which it still operates. In addition, LSS serves people in need through Refugee and Immigration Services, which, since 1980, has resettled refugees coming to Jacksonville through Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) and Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM); International Adoption, a member of Lutheran Adoption Network, a national collaboration of 30 Lutheran social ministry organizations that place thousands of children in caring adoptive homes, regardless of faith background, every year; AIDS Care and Education Program and Representative Payee Services. LSS also operates The Sharing Place Thrift Shop, 4615 Philips Highway, Tues.-Sat. Call 904.730.8234 for more information about any of these programs and services. |
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| CONTACT:
Lutheran Social Services of NE Florida Tom Strother
Advancement Manager (Communications)
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Refugee Resettlement
Donations Needed
Twin beds, kitchen tables and chairs and couches are among the items needed most.
Where Donations Go:
Items are used to help furnish permanent homes for refugees being resettled in the Jacksonville area through the LSS Refugee and Immigration program.
How To Donate:
Call 904.448.5995 to schedule a pickup. Drop items off at The Sharing Place Thrift Store, located at 4615 Philips Highway.
All donations are tax deductible.
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