Who We Are
Since 1917, Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (LSSNCA), a human services and immigration relief and refugee welcome agency, has accompanied those in need throughout Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. to foster resiliency, self-sufficiency, and access to opportunities. We provide services that last beyond the initial arrival for families, youth, children, and individuals rebuilding their lives in the D.C. metro area.
Motivated daily by our belief in the inherent dignity of all, LSSNCA’s innovative participant-informed programs serve refugees, forced migrants, immigrants, children and youth, and underserved communities by filling in the gaps. Piloting initiatives like the area’s first camp for kids impacted by the HIV/AIDS crisis, originating local pro se asylum workshops for Afghan Allies, launching a Resource Center to serve as a community hub for all recently arrived program participants, and offering myriad trauma-informed mental health support services, LSSNCA strives to create thriving communities.
From the Newsroom
LSSNCA statement on the impact of the budget reconciliation bill (H.R. 1), which was signed into law on July 4, 2025.
This year, Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (LSSNCA) celebrated World Refugee Day— annually honored on June 20—through storytelling, centering the voices and experiences of community members who have lived through displacement and resettlement. We hosted two panels in partnership with St. John’s Norwood Episcopal Church in Maryland and the McLean Islamic Center in Virginia.
This weekly blog provides updates on immigration policy changes, legal rulings, and how to help our neighbors.
