LocationsCommunity Services Headquarters1941 South 42nd Street, Suite 402Omaha, NE 68105(402) 536-3500

·Refugee Reception & Placement Program

·Refugee Education & Employment Program

·International Center of the Heartland

·Immigration Legal Services

·Global Language Solutions

·AmeriCorps Nebraska Economic Opportunity Corps VISTA – Volunteers in Service to America Points of Light Veteran Leader Corps Veteran Student Support Corps

Employment First1941 South 42nd Street, Suite 370Omaha, NE 68105(402) 271-7300

Grand Island (immigration services)Great Western Bank Building1811 West 2nd Street, Suite 440 Grand Island, NE 68803(308) 382-4255

Lexington (immigration services)The Welcome Center200 West Seventh StreetLexington NE 68850(308) 324-2312

Lincoln (refugee services)2201 South 17th StreetLincoln, NE 68502(402) 441-7940

Not all programs available in all areas. Please call the nearest office if you have questions.

© The Corporation for National and Community Service

©UNHCR/H.Caux

R0815

“An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.”

—Martin Luther King, Jr.

Community Services Programs

www.LFSneb.org

©UNHCR/S.Phelps

Employment First

Helps individuals—primarily immigrants and refugees—achieve economic self-

sufficiency through job training, education and employment preparation. Staff ensure participant compliance while advocating on their behalf, providing culturally-competent services and working to count non-traditional activity as countable compliance hours (i.e. acculturation, orientation and ESL). Employment First is the State of Nebraska’s “welfare to work” program.

AmeriCorps

Provides AmeriCorps members for programs that improve education and employment

outcomes of at-risk youth, new Americans, and veterans and military families. AmeriCorps members either provide direct service or build the organizational capacity of programs. In return, AmeriCorps members are eligible to receive a modest living allowance, health insurance, childcare benefits and an education award. AmeriCorps is a national service program of the Corporation of National and Community Service.

Global Language Solutions

Provides Community Interpreters who function as language and cultural brokers for those

not familiar with a certain culture or language. Community Interpreters help individuals function within their community and obtain access to services. They interpret in many settings, including general legal and medical appointments, therapy sessions, applying for assistance and services, job interviews and orientations. Services are available in Omaha, Council Bluffs and the surrounding areas.*

Languages offered:* Arabic, Burmese, Chin, Hindi, Kachin, Karen, Karenni, Maay Maay, Nepali, Nuer, Somali and Spanish.

* Subject to change - please call (402) 536-3500 for the most current information.

Immigration Legal Services

The only Board of Immigration Appeals-accredited network of immigration legal service

providers in Nebraska. The ILS attorney and BIA specialists throughout the state provide refugees, asylees and immigrants with a wide range of immigration legal services. Representation is available to individuals and families who may have an immigration benefit available from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Services include initial consultations, assistance with family-based immigration and representation in removal and asylum cases. ILS also conducts statewide community education and outreach efforts regarding the contributions immigrants make to Nebraska’s economy and culture.

Behavioral Health Services for New Populations

Provides culturally-competent behavioral health services for refugees, immigrants,

secondary migrants, asylees, international victims of human trafficking, torture victims and other new populations. The therapist assesses the client’s emotional and behavioral health needs, and creates a therapeutic plan. The therapist administers continuing post-assessments to track participants’ progress and overall improvement. The therapist also provides education to LFS staff, agency partners and other organizations regarding behavioral health needs of refugees, immigrants and new populations.

International Center of the Heartland (ICH)

Provides comprehensive case management for refugees, asylees, immigrants and international

victims of human trafficking, connecting them with agency partners who share expertise in social services, health, education and housing. ICH educates our community about challenges facing newcomers and the benefits they bring while giving residents opportunities for in-depth interactions with these populations.

Refugee Reception and Placement Program (R&P)

Places newly-arriving refugees and those awarded special immigrant visas (SIVs) in Omaha and

Lincoln. Ensures they are welcomed at the airport, introduced to their new home (with functioning appliances, foods from the refugee’s culture, basic furnishings and weather-appropriate clothing), and assisted with health screenings, immunization appointments, social security card applications, school enrollment and social services. Also assists with document processing, cultural orientation, English language instruction and trauma therapy. Affiliated with Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service & Church World Service.

Refugee Education and Employment Program (REEP)

Provides specialized services to help refugees identify goals, recognize their skills, and

connect with appropriate education and employment opportunities. Whether attending ESL classes, getting assistance from an employment specialist to apply for a job, or receiving help to enroll in a vocational program or community college, clients receive the necessary support to progress towards their long-term career prospects.