Lutheran Community Services (LCS) offers multiple programs to provide assistance to refugees through its Multicultural Community Services Seattle Office. These programs include a Reception & Placement Program to welcome refugees at the airport, arrange accommodations, provide food and furniture, and orient the refugees to daily life in their new home. Case managers—able to speak the refugee’s language—help newly-arrived refugees process paperwork and secure governmental assistance, enter employment programs, attend ESL classes, and generally find solutions to any problems that arise in the resettlement process; an Immigration Counseling and Advocacy Program (ICAP) to provide low-cost immigration counseling to Seattle’s refugee and immigrant populations. ICAP counsels refugees and immigrants about their rights and responsibilities pertaining to their immigration status, helps clients with all immigration forms and applications, and represents clients before the INS. ICAP staff also provides translation and interpretation services; public notary services; attorney referrals; immigration and passport photos; and fingerprinting services. In addition, ICAP engages in advocacy for the preservation of immigrants’ rights in the legal system at all levels of government; the Social Services Project provides social services to refugees who have resettled in the Puget Sound region. These services include free immigration assistance (especially green card applications after one year of residence), assistance in applying and qualifying for low income housing programs and advocacy for refugees with health clinics, public schools and other public and private agencies. The project also provide mental health counseling for families who may have difficulty adjusting to life in the US, and assist families in locating resources for childcare; the Holiday Gift Program, on Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter, LCS coordinates a gift giving program, in which the neediest refugee families can receive gifts of furniture, household items, clothing and food. Families let LCS know what their greatest needs are, and they find individuals, organizations, churches or businesses that are willing to provide these items in new or good condition.

433 Minor Ave. N.
Seattle, WA 98109

206-694-5700

http://www.lcsnw.org/mcs/seattle.html