When I was growing up, our family spent Thanksgiving serving families in need dishes of turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing before we’d go home and share our own Thanksgiving meal. These are some of my earliest memories of giving. I saw the impact of this act of service – the laughter echoing through the center as families enjoyed a meal together, the relief on the faces of parents who, for this one day, didn’t need to worry about how to feed their children.
These moments inspired me to chart a course of giving back, of making a difference – of being a changemaker. I see those same values in you.
As another year draws to a close, I’m deeply grateful that you chose to channel those values into enthusiastic support of Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (LSSNCA). Your compassion and generosity have been transformative in creating opportunity for refugees, asylum-seekers, and unaccompanied children, and in supporting young people with building life skills as they make the transition into adulthood. This impact looks like:
Feraidon, a newly resettled neighbor who educated communities in Afghanistan about the importance of voting and democracy. He is not yet able to vote here, but encourages others to register, and believes in platforms that will create safer communities for kids, families, and all
neighbors.
Aroon and Amara, a married couple who are political dissidents from Southeast Asia who were separated by imprisonment, but now use their voice to raise awareness about the impact of resettlement and importance of welcome organizations like LSSNCA and changemakers like you, so other new neighbors can also feel embraced when they arrive.
Shara, who didn’t believe she had much to contribute as she’d never worked before, but thanks to our workforce development program launched her own catering company with flavors of home to make people feel reconnected.
The Bankole family who resettled from West Africa years ago and who now volunteers at our Resource Center, our coat drive, and our backpack drive to return the favor and ease others’ resettlement.
Sam, a father who, while enrolled in our recertification program to continue his medical career, opened a bustling grocery store.
Ahmad and Meena who led a nonprofit back home that reinvested in their local community, who are now part of our SOAR program, which provides entrepreneurship opportunities to refugees so they can lead our communities in new directions.
Impact looks like you, driving families to their children’s school open houses to meet their teachers and help them settle into a new school. I It looks like you, volunteering at our legal workshops to help our new neighbors obtain work permits. It looks like you, opening your home to unaccompanied children who left behind family and friends in search of safety and security you now provide. It looks like you, advocating on Capitol Hill on behalf of new and future neighbors whose voices sometimes go unheard.
While we take pride in the progress we’ve achieved together, we’re evermore conscious of the pressing need to continue. Countless others are still in need of safety, stability, and the chance to live into their fullest potential.
We call upon you to continue your life-changing support by contributing through a one-time donation or recurring gift, through a donor-advised fund, or joining us in amplifying our mission with others.
As we look ahead to the possibilities that the new year holds, I want to express my deepest appreciation for your generosity. You have shown that giving is not just an action – it’s a representation of hope and positive change.
Thank you for making a tangible difference.
In gratitude,
Kristyn Peck, LSSNCA CEO
Serve Boldly 