1. Early 1950’s > Single man: Austrian of Lutheran, Christian faith. Helped with apartment sponsorship and orientation to culture plus finding employment. Agency: Lutheran Resettlement
2. 2008 > Single man and his roommate: Iraqis of the Mandaean faith.  Helped for 8 months and with initial apartment setup.  Agency: Refugee Immigration Management/Lutheran Social Services
3. 2009 > Mom and dad with 5 kids: Bhutanese coming through the refugee camps of Nepal of Hindu faith.  Helped for 8 months and with initial apartment setup. Agency: Lutheran Social Services
4. 2011 > Mom with 2 kids: Congolese of the Christian faith. Helped with initial apartment setup. Agency: Lutheran Social Services
5. 2011 > Mom with 3 kids, 1 severely disabled: Congolese of the Christian faith. Helped with apartment set-up and ongoing assistance. Agency: Lutheran Social Services
6. 2013> Mom and dad with 2 high school kids and one high school graduate: Iraqis of Mandaean faith. They first escaped into Syria before coming to Worcester. Helped for 6 months and with initial apartment setup. Agency: Lutheran Social Services
7. 2014 > Mom and dad with 2 elementary aged kids: Iraqis of Islamic faith. Helped with initial setup of apartment. Agency: Lutheran Social Services
8. 2015 > Mom and dad with 1 high school freshman, 1 middle schooler, 1 kindergartner and a pre-schooler: Iraqis of Islamic faith. Helped with initial setup of apartment, hosted them as guests at a meet/greet meal at the church with ongoing assistance in various ways. Agency: Ascentria
9. 2016 > Zion and Bethel shared co-sponsorship: Mom and three kids of Isalmic faith. Helped with apartment set-up, providing internet, LIPY-CM youth group purchased a laptop/printer set-up and software, ongoing clothing and apartment needs items provided. One member is about to engage private ESL work with the mom as of January 2017.  Agency: Ascentria

Assistance through 8 months has included:

1. Rides to and from medical services, laundry mats, shopping.
2. Ongoing donations towards household items/cleaning materials/food and clothes. 
3. English language assistance.

Agencies can help out thru the 6 month point providing:

1. Application for green cards, Social Security, etc.
2. ESL (English Second Language) training,
3. employment sourcing,
4. interface with landlords, medical agencies, etc.
5. monetary assistance: However, agencies receive a limited allotment of financial capacity each year that must be leveraged over their entire resettlement group subject also to particular disbursement between individuals or family units.

Co-Sponsorship gives people an extra fighting chance in making it in a new-land and culture! What items/volunteer time are donated reduce the draw on the agency allotted funding so that it can go further on their behalf with local/federal government work, medical assistance, personal services work.

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Zion Lutheran Church

41 Whitmarsh Ave

Worcester, MA 01606

Phone: 508 853-2009

Or use our contact form.

ALL are welcome in this place!

ZION OFFICE HOURS:

For non-emergencies

Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays

Generally 9 AM - Noon

PASTOR OFFICE HOURS:

Thursdays 2-4PM @ Panera Bread on Gold Star Blvd, or by appointment