LCSNW refugee resettlement teams commemorate long history of service

Photo at right: Members of Tacoma’s refugee resettlement team plant a rhododendron next to a memorial plaque on April 1st.

LCSNW refugee resettlement teams gathered in early April in Tacoma, Vancouver, and Portland to commemorate more than 50 years of helping refugee families build new lives in the United States. 

Teams in Tacoma and Vancouver planted specially chosen rhododendrons, Washington’s state flower. In Portland —the City of Roses — they planted a rose. Beside the flowers, memorial plaques were placed to honor LCSNW staff and volunteers who, over the past several decades, have welcomed more than 50,000 refugees. 

The plaque reads: “Your compassion builds bridges, transforms lives, and shapes our future. Welcoming one strengthens us all.” 

The events were a bittersweet occasion. LCSNW is pausing our refugee resettlement program indefinitely starting this month, due to the new Presidential Administration’s decision to terminate all resettlement contracts. We intend to return to this important work as soon as possible. 

Meanwhile, LCSNW will continue providing critical services to immigrants, refugees, and asylees through our other programs. Services include behavioral health care, legal assistance, employment support, housing assistance, case management, and unaccompanied minor services.

During the plaque-dedication events, resettlement staff members reflected on their work, sharing memorable stories of challenges, struggles and achievements helping families rebuild their lives. 

Siddiq Kakar, Tacoma’s Program Manager, expressed gratitude for the team and highlighted its unique strength: “Many of our staff members began their journey as LCSNW clients. LCSNW invests in its clients and career growth by recruiting them and enabling them to deliver services to the next generation.” 

Program Director Daryl Morrissey also reflected on the team’s dedication and compassion: “In my three years as director of the LCSNW refugee resettlement team, the thing that has impressed me most is how much this team runs on heart. We were able to help so many thousands of newcomers arrive and get started in their new lives here because of the enormous amount of heart, caring and energy that the members of this team have poured into their jobs, and into the lives of our clients.” 

Peter Vogelaar, Senior District Director for Multicultural Community Services (MCS), also acknowledged the team’s enduring impact: “What an achievement! This team has been the heart and soul of the MCS family for nearly 50 years. Although the program is currently on pause, I know that wherever our team members go, they will continue to be a shining example of Health, Justice, and Hope.”