Social Solutions Gives Back: Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services

One of Social Solutions’ missions is to enable communities to drive greater impact together. Many employees share an interest in supporting social good programs by giving back to their community. Through our Volunteer Impact Program (VIP), each of our full-time employees gets 32 hours a year to spend volunteering with their favorite organizations. Often, groups will get together to volunteer for personal causes they care about or with our organization’s clients. 

This holiday season, more than 30 Social Solutions’ employees volunteered time to make cards for one client in particular—Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services’ (LIRS) Hope for the Holidays campaign. This was Social Solutions’ second consecutive year participating in Hope for the Holidays, and employees decorated and wrote over 90 cards for children and families.  

Kendra Hernandez, from LIRS, joined live via Zoom and shared an overview presentation about the organization with the Social Solutions employees in the Austin, TX office. Kendra was an incredible resource and provided an in-depth peek into what their team’s mission is as well as what it’s like to be an immigrant arriving in America for the first time. This was a wonderful learning experience. 

LIRS started Hope for the Holidays as a small card-writing project in 2014, and since then, the program has grown by more than 400%. Today, Hope for the Holidays collects handwritten Christmas cards and monetary donations to provide families impacted by the US immigration system with gifts and messages of hope. LIRS has sent more than 50,000 cards over the last few years and more than 5200 gifts for kids to open on Christmas Day. 

“Last year, despite the many challenges, we were able to serve thousands of immigrants, and this year, we’re hoping to serve even more.”

Kendra Hernandez, Coordinator for Development and Outreach, LIRS

About Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services 

For over 80 years, LIRS has been a champion for refugees and migrants from around the globe. 

LIRS shines a light on those seeking refuge and protection and amplifies the voices of those they serve. Partners from 39 states work to protect and embrace refugees, migrants and children seeking a new life in America. Today, LIRS focus areas include refugee resettlement, foster care services, family reunification, empowering new Americans, welcoming migrants and engaging communities.  

“Our work is about accompanying our refugee neighbors through an unfamiliar world and embracing the rich diversity and contributions they bring to this country.” 

Kendra Hernandez

Show your support by donating to LIRS Hope for the Holidays campaign.