LSSNCA has welcomed refugees and others forced to flee their countries due to violence and persecution since World War II, serving 10,0000 refugees since 2001. In 2016, LSSNCA served 1,625 refugees; a record for the organization. During the Trump Administration, the United States, which had historically been a global leader in its response to welcoming humanitarian refugees, saw historic lows of refugee admissions. In the four years of the Trump Administration, LSSNCA served approximately 500 refugees a year.

“As the number of persons who are forced to leave their homelands globally is at a record high, increasing the number of U.S. refugee admissions is in alignment with our nation’s legacy and values,” said Kristyn Peck, LSSNCA CEO. “Our experience serving Afghan Allies who are seeking freedom and democracy in the United States has shown us the boundless generosity and compassion of the American people to welcome new neighbors,” she said. “Our doors are open and we are ready to welcome.”

LSSNCA has committed to serving 2,400 refugees in Fiscal Year 2022 and expects at least 90% of those numbers to be Afghans. LSSNCA relies on grants from the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, local state and county grants, and the generosity of its community to provide critical services to refugees, who often arrive with only the clothes they have on their backs. The support LSSNCA receives from federal, state, and the community allows it to provide housing and food assistance, case management, employment services, cultural orientation, life skills training, and other services to help refugees rebuild their lives in the United States.