Months after the great Afghan evacuation, many refugees are still trying to find their way in the United States.

For many, the funds and resources they received from the government are now running low, and they are desperate to find ways to move forward with security and support.

Lutheran Services Florida stepped in to help local refugees who were looking for asylum, and they were able to be of service all because of a partnership the organization formed with a senior living community.

Amelia Fox, LSF Chief Strategy Officer and Chief of Staff, shared the story during a recent interview with The Catalyst.

In November 2021, we were approached by Westminster Communities, which is a senior living community based in Florida. They were struggling with staffing needs and making sure they had the right people in the right positions.  LSF had hundreds of Afghan refugees who’d come looking for help, and so we moved quickly to form a partnership.

The Afghan refugees under our care were connected with jobs at Westminster in various departments—human resources, dining, maintenance, and facilities—across the infrastructure. Not only that, but Westminster also offered to provide housing to them for a deeply subsidized rate. The residents also took a liking to the refugees and, on their own, created English language programs and arranged other activities for the children.

What could have been a dire situation ended up being one of love and support and hope, because these refugees were instantly connected with employment and housing opportunities as a direct result of that partnership.

This is only one example of how LSF’s community partnerships work to better serve vulnerable populations across the state. As the organization provides continued support to Afghan and other refugees, it extends an ongoing invitation to others who’d like to contribute.

To learn more about how you or your organization can partner with LSF to help displaced families, visit us at www.lsfnet.org/volunteer/