wfn.org | Grants Available to Lutherans for Refugee and Immigrant Services

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

December 29, 1999

GRANTS AVAILABLE TO LUTHERANS FOR REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT SERVICES
99-322-JB

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS),
in partnership with Wheat Ridge Ministries, is offering financial
assistance to Lutheran congregations to encourage development of support
services for immigrants and refugees. Competitive grants are available
through the LIRS Bernthal Fund for Congregational Involvement, said
William C. Tremitiere, director, LIRS Resource Development.
     LIRS, based in Baltimore, is a cooperative agency of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Lutheran Church-Missouri
Synod (LCMS) and the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.  It
was established by Lutheran churches in the United States to carry out
the churches' ministry with immigrants and refugees.
     Wheat Ridge Ministries, Itasca, Ill., is a charitable organization
that provides assistance and support to Lutheran congregations and
agencies that engage in health-related ministries.
     The grants will enable congregations to develop support services
for refugees and other new arrivals beyond the initial stages of
resettlement, Tremitiere said.
     1999 was the first year of the program.  LIRS awarded grants
totaling $62,500 to 11 Lutheran congregations to help implement a
variety of creative projects and services, he said. These included
programs such as computer job training, child care for students enrolled
in English language classes, immigration assistance, citizenship
classes, outreach ministry and other types of support.
     For the year 2000, LIRS plans to offer seed grants of up to $5,000
per project, Tremitiere said. Congregations awarded grants are expected
to contribute at least 25 percent of the project cost, either through
cash or in-kind support, he said.
     Tremitiere said funding priority will be given to projects that
demonstrate at least one of several services to immigrants and refugees:
legal assistance, social services, joint projects between community
members and new residents, and leadership development within the ethnic
groups served.
     Lutheran congregations have until Jan. 24, 2000 to apply for
grants, Tremitiere said.

     EDITORS: Congregations interested in obtaining an application
packet should contact Joyce Hoebing, LIRS director for grants and
management, phone (410) 230-2761, e-mail jhoebing@lirs.org, or check the
LIRS Web site at www.lirs.org.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html