Jacksonville has always been, and continues to be, a place of welcome!
For four decades, LSS has assisted thousands of U.S. government-approved refugees during their first 90 days in the U.S., a period that determines their long-term success. These individuals and families have fled war, unspeakable violence, persecution, poverty and starvation, arriving with nothing but hope and a determination to rebuild their lives.
Right now, LSS is serving 167 refugees who are still within that vital first-90-day window. That’s 30 families, and seven single individuals. Three expectant mothers. Two senior citizens. Eighty-eight children. They come from 11 different countries, but share a common experience: they are running for their lives, and determined to work hard to become part of the culturally rich and diverse city that is Jacksonville.
Recently, LSS learned of an unexpected funding gap that would severely curtail our ability to shepherd these 167 individuals to self-sufficiency. These individuals, who had already endured so much to reach safety, now faced the risk of homelessness, food insecurity, and an uncertain future.
That’s when local churches stepped in, led by St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church. One of LSS’s founding congregations, St. Matthew’s leaders, quickly voted to provide immediate, emergency funding to assist these families with their basic needs. Within days, they were joined by St. John’s Cathedral, whose congregants generously answered their pastor’s call to help, and by the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, who stepped in to match funds raised by St. John’s.
They were joined days later when philanthropist Delores Barr Weaver added a grant from the Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Funds. Together, these incredible contributions have provided almost the entire amount of funding needed by LSS, making a life-changing difference for the newly arrived refugee families.
Thanks to the compassion of these faith communities and philanthropic partners, LSS has been able to provide rent assistance, school enrollments, healthcare navigation, and job placement services to help our newest refugee neighbors build stable and self-sufficient lives. Their generosity ensures that these families have the foundation they need to become contributing members of our community.
LSS is deeply grateful to St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, St. John’s Cathedral, the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, and the Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Funds for their extraordinary generosity and compassion. Your support has provided a lifeline for these families, offering not just resources, but hope and a sense of belonging. From all of us at LSS — thank you for standing with us and helping our new neighbors build brighter futures.
It’s not too late to join them! LSS still needs to raise $50,000 to ensure all the basic needs are met for these families.
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