The work of welcome extends beyond the first hello.
In 1945, LSSNCA expanded its services to support refugees fleeing their homes during World War II. Today, we provide case management, mental health and wellness support, and workforce development services to help refugees, asylum-seekers, Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders, Afghan allies, and others seeking safety achieve self-sufficiency.
In Fiscal Year 2024, LSSNCA served over 3,500 individuals from 46 countries, provided employment services to 2,456 individuals, and secured 2,477 job placements. The largest refugee welcome agency on the East Coast, we also welcomed more than 6,500 Afghan Allies since the fall of Kabul, and more than 215 Ukrainians since conflict struck their country.
Employment Services
Our Business Engagement Liaisons identify employers interested in hiring refugees. Our Employment Coordinators help refugees and other eligible populations with resume writing, interview practice, and matching their skills and interests to our network of employers.
Good Neighbors Partners & Champions Program
Volunteers provide a combination of support and resources to families and individuals in the short-term or over a period of several months, including one-time home set-ups and mentoring.
Education and Vocational Programs
LSSNCA supports participants in achieving their goals through programs like Refugee Recertification Program (RRP), the TEA Club for women overcoming workforce barriers, and Youth Mentoring to help students thrive in school and beyond.
Mental Health and Wellness Services
Wellness services employ a trauma-informed approach to provide mental health care. Clinical therapists offer counseling to Afghan individuals, families, and groups receiving services from LSSNCA, following intakes, psychosocial assessments, and trauma inventories.
Refugee Health Education and Outreach Program (RHEO)
Addresses the immediate health needs of refugees upon arrival in the United States. LSSNCA health liaisons assist participants in enrolling in Medicaid, completing initial health screenings, finding primary care physicians, and understanding how to navigate the U.S. healthcare system. The program bridges the gap between healthcare providers and refugee communities.
Immigrant Healthcare Connection Program (IHCC)
LSSNCA is part of the Immigrant Health Care Connection Program (IHCC). IHCC is open to all Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR)-eligible program participants in Maryland to connect them with any needed language-accessible and culturally-informed healthcare. This includes assisting ORR-eligible individuals up to five (5) years with navigating the healthcare system through any medical or mental health care coordination, providing any individual or client-specific health outreach, identifying available Medicaid-accepting providers and appointment scheduling, and providing assistance with health insurance.
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Wahidullah, AfghanistanWahidullah, a civil engineer by profession and father of four children, arrived in the United States on a Special Immigration Visa (SIV) in 2021. His wife, Mina, is a medical doctor was also luckily evacuated with the family following the fall of Kabul.
Dr. Mina “knew that [her] family [would] be exposed to various stress factors, which may affect their mental health and well-being during their migration journey.” She “was very concerned. We already had enough of the exposure living in challenging and life-threatening conditions in Afghanistan. Separation from family members and the support networks was never easy. We knew that other challenges such as unemployment, resettlement difficulties, cultural adjustment, challenges with obtaining entitlements, changing policies in the host countries and social isolation [would] also add to our problems.”
LSSNCA was able to make their journey a bit smoother and easier. In addition to providing immediate health services, clothing and home essentials, and after providing the initial three months of Reception and Placement (R&P) support, “the next challenge,” Wahidullah noted was “finding a suitable job and paying the monthly bills.” He “received tremendous support from the employment team. My employment specialist provided me and my spouse with all the tools needed to find a job.” His employment specialist also suggested looking into engineering training, and Wahidullah applied for and completed a certificate in concrete with financial assistance from LSSNCA. He was then able to apply for and secure a job with the Engineering Consulting Service (ECS) as a quality control inspector. “Pursuing the certification was a turning point to my employment in the U.S.”
