In several countries including Sudan, Liberia, Mexico and countries in Central and South America, teenagers are displaced by war, civil unrest and economic hardship. LSS helps these children through two special programs:

n Transitional Foster Care: Dallas/Fort Worth & El Paso

This program provides transitional foster care for up to 36 unaccompanied minors that are placed directly through the Office of Refugee Resettlement/Division of Unaccompanied Minors. The average length of stay being less than 45 days.

We primarily provide care for children from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. 99 percent of the children are primarily Spanish speaking. The majority of children are eventually reunited with their parents or other relatives.

The program also has a clinician that assists the children with individual and group counseling.

Dallas: Tizita Seifu (800) 622-6697
El Paso: Jerry Saenz (915) 771-0281

n Unaccompanied Minors Program: Dallas/Fort Worth

Through a program authorized by the U.S. State Department, and in partnership with Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, LSS finds caring foster homes for these "unaccompanied minors" in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Some of these young refugees speak English and all are eager to learn. They are not available for adoption but require a long-term commitment until they are adults.

In addition to foster care, these children also receive the on-going assistance of a social worker, English language tutoring, health services, legal assistance, independent-living and job-skills training and counseling.

Contact: Tizita Seifu (800) 622-6697