Fort Myers, FL –(August 23, 2018) Lutheran Services Florida (LSF), has planned a special event, Welcome Week Awards Luncheon with the Honorable Randall P. Henderson, Mayor of Ft. Myers to celebrate employers, refugees and immigrants.

LSF has partnered with Dunbar Community School to host the luncheon to extend goodwill, resources and support to immigrants and refugees in need of employment, English language classes and a stronger sense of community. The event will take place on Monday September 17, 2018 at 11 am. at Dunbar Community School 1857 High Street in Fort Myers.

The employers who will be recognized for their spirit of community are:

• Cleaning Authority of Naples
• United Natural Foods Inc.
• Crown Linen

Clients of Lutheran Services Florida who have displayed fortitude, resilience and strength of character will also be awarded at the luncheon.

• Denia Castillo
• Gilberto Arguelles Lopez
• Nirma Castro
• Carlos Allois

LSF’s participation in the national Welcoming Week program highlights that in Southwest

Florida, Americans of all backgrounds are coming together to create stronger, more prosperous

communities.

Jacquie Williams, community outreach coordinator for LSF, said, “Our WOW! Week of Welcome

activities celebrate the values that unite us as neighbors, parents and colleagues, and to make

our towns more welcoming to everyone who calls our community home.”

“We’re excited to be partnering with Lutheran Services Florida for the Week of Welcome. This is a great opportunity to bring the diverse populations in our community together to celebrate one another,” said Ken Burns, Principal at Dunbar Community School.

The Welcome Week Awards Luncheon has limited space. Questions can be directed to Williams at (239) 217-4453 or Jacqueline.MatthewsWilliams@LSFnet.org For more information about how you can participate in Welcoming Week, visit welcomingweek.org and use #welcomingweek on social media.

Media Contact:

Terri Durdaller, LSF Associate VP of Communications

Terri.durdaller@lsfnet.org

813-802-8790

About Lutheran Services Florida: Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) is a non-profit transforming lives by providing ensuring safe children, strong families and vibrant communities. Founded in 1982, LSF currently touches the lives of 1 in 50 Floridians every year through various programs, including early education, youth shelters, foster care, refugee and resettlement services, substance abuse mental health services, and adult guardianship. Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, LSF has more than 60 programs throughout Florida and approximately 1,200 dedicated employees.

Through its refugee resettlement and immigration services, Lutheran Services Florida is privileged to be on the front lines of assisting refugees acclimate to their new homes and creating a welcoming environment to the immigrant communities that arrive at our doorstep seeking a brighter future.