LSF Employment Programs

Featured on Tampa Radio

CBS Hispanic Station, 92.5 Maxima FM

19 December 2008 - TW

Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) Employment Programs were featured on Dec. 12 with a live interview of three staff members on CBS Radio, 92.5 Maxima, WYUU FM, a Spanish language station for the Tampa Bay area.

Representing LSF on the program were Adriana Cadavid, Manager of Employment Program, Javier Torres, Manager of Refugee Legal Services and Tamara Pizo, Job Developer of the Career Laddering Program.  All three programs are part of LSF's programs and services to refugees and asylees.  Read more about the programs here.

"One of our goals was to inform people about the Employment programs we have," said Tamara Pizo, especially "to let employers around the Tampa Bay Area know that we are a non-profit agency who helps refugees and asylees with Federal funds of the Department of Children & Families (DCF)."  Ms. Pizo pointed out that employers can receive federal tax credits from hiring clients of LSF.

Tampa Bay Regional Director Rubis Castro said that the radio interview was really timely and needed "because of the financial crisis.  Our clients are not being placed," she said. 

As an agency working with refugees and asylees, "we’re similar to a staffing agency, but we don’t charge," Ms. Castro stated.  With the current financial crisis and rising unemployment, "we really are desperate, because we really need more employers."

During the radio interview, Javier Torres talked about legal services provided free of charge by LSF for refugees, asylees, Cuban or Haitian entrants, Amerasians, and victims of human trafficking. 

"He explained that LSF serves as the point agency for Department of Children and Families to provide such services, including application for the acquisition or renewal of I-94 and work authorization cards, residency, representation in court, naturalization, etc., said Ms. Pizo.  "Mr. Torres also said that LSF has an experienced staff of attorneys and paralegals and another program of immigration services for any client who does not qualify as a refugees or asylee."

Commenting on the invitation for the interview from 92.5 Maxima, Ms. Castro said, "They have been always really nice with us and call us and give us free air time."  She also pointed out that the same was true of all the Spanish media in the Tampa Bay area.  "Tamara used to work in marketing and really knows the Spanish media well," she said, which is how the invitation from 92.5 Maxima came to LSF.

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