Refugee Services

Refugees are people forced to leave their country of residence
because of war or political turmoil. LSSM is Michigan's largest private refugee resettlement agency. We provide sponsorship, immigration assistance, legal services and assistance with resettlement and acculturation. Since the mid-1970s, LSSM has resettled thousands of refugees from dozens of countries.

LSSM is also Michigan's primary contractor for job development and placement, vocational English language training and citizenship services.

The refugee program has offices in Southfield, to serve Southeastern Michigan, and Grand Rapids, to serve West Michigan. Our Lansing office coordinates foster care for refugee youth who arrive in the United States without an adult to care for them.

Donations of gently used furniture and household items are welcome for use by refugee families.

Congregations and other interested groups can help refugees settle in to their new communities by "adopting" refugee families. For more information, contact Rafat Ita in Southfield at ita@lssm.org.org or (248) 423-2790, or Chris Cavanaugh in Grand Rapids at ccava@lssm.org or (616) 356-1934.

If you can employ refugees at your business in Southeastern Michigan, contact Belmin Pinjic, bpin@lssm.org or (248) 423-2790. In West Michigan, call Lynda Bar at (616) 532-8286.

To inquire about becoming a refugee foster parent, contact Missy Bell at Mbell@lssm.org or (517) 321-7663.

Read stories about refugees helped by LSSM:
Sudanese "Lost Boy" Peter
Liberian brothers William and George
Edward from Burma
Sudanese "Lost Boy" D.D.