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 4,300 individuals from over 48 countries, provided employment services to 2,456 individuals, and secured 2,477 job placements. We also welcomed nearly 8,500 Afghan allies since Kabul was seized in 2021, and more than 215 Ukrainians since conflict struck their country.
LSSNCA can provide the following services:
Afghan Refugee Support Services (ARSS) in Maryland
ARSS offers specialized educational or vocational services to Special Immigrant Visa holders and other ORR-eligible immigrants living in the Baltimore Metropolitan, Frederick, and suburban Washington, D.C. areas.
To request an appointment with LSSNCA, click on the link below.
Baltimore County Homeless Prevention Program
The Homeless Prevention Program provides housing services to eligible Baltimore County residents, including individuals with varying immigration statuses, who are at risk of homelessness, and helps them navigate and access housing resources.
Referrals accepted through the Baltimore County Continuum of Care (CoC) Coordinated Entry system, LSSNCA integration programs, or by appointment.
To schedule an appointment with LSSNCA, click on the link below or email: HousingStability@lssnca.org
Educational and Vocational Programs
Educational and vocational programs support refugees in achieving their goals. Programs include the TEA Club for women overcoming workforce barriers in Virginia and youth mentoring to help students thrive in school and beyond, through the Refugee Youth Mentoring Program in Maryland (RYMP) or the Mentoring Youth Program in Virginia (MyVA).
To request an appointment with LSSNCA, click on the link below.
To volunteer with us, click on the link below.
Employment Services
Employment services support refugees and other eligible populations in securing and retaining meaningful employment as they rebuild their lives in the United States. Services include job readiness training, resume development, interview preparation, career counseling, and guidance on navigating the U.S. workplace. Programs include Refugee Support Services (RSS) and Refugee Career Pathways (RCP) for individuals living in Maryland.
To request an appointment with LSSNCA, click on the link below.
To partner with us, click on the link below.
Extended Case Management Program (ECMP) in Maryland
ECMP provides transitional case management support to eligible immigrants who are living in Maryland. Support includes employment, legal and healthcare support, access to benefits, school and ESL enrollment, and cultural awareness.
To request an appointment with LSSNCA, click on the link below.
Immigrant Healthcare Connection Program (IHCC-MD) in Maryland
IHCC-MD connects Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR)-eligible program participants living in Maryland with the language and culturally informed healthcare they need. 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 assisting with health insurance.
To request an appointment with LSSNCA, click on the link below.
Refugee Health Education and Outreach Program (RHEO-VA) in Virginia
RHEO-VA supports refugees, asylees, Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders, and other eligible immigrants living in Virginia as they navigate enrolling in Medicaid, completing initial health screenings, finding primary care physicians, and understanding the U.S. healthcare system.
To schedule an appointment with LSSNCA, click on the link below or email: rheo@lssnca.org
Refugee Transitional Cash Assistance (RTCA) in Maryland
RTCA provides cash benefits for up to four (4) months to eligible refugees, Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders, asylees, or other eligible populations living in Maryland who meet state income guidelines and are not eligible for other cash programs (such as TANF or SSI).
To request an appointment with LSSNCA, click on the link below.
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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.”
