Work of LSS recognized by Secretary Clinton
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton noted the vital work of Lutheran social ministry organizations in welcoming refugees to the United States during her December 7 address at the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugee’s ministerial conference in Geneva.
In her presentation to world leaders, Clinton shared a story about Fatuma Elmi, who applied for asylum in the U.S. after civil war broke out in her native Somalia in 1991. Settled in Minneapolis, Elmi has worked as an employment counselor at Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (LSS) for the past 17 years. She has been able to find jobs for 79 percent of her clients this year, despite the difficult economy.
LSS is one of 285 affiliated ministry organizations of the ELCA across the country.
Elmi’s life is “clear evidence of the wisdom of investing in women,” said Clinton, a member of the U.S. delegation to the ministerial conference, which brings together more than 150 representatives from around the world.
“In sharing Fatuma Elmi’s story, Secretary Clinton has affirmed the invaluable contributions resettled refugees bring to life in American communities. In naming Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, she has also recognized the vast network of Lutheran social service organizations that are an expression of faith active in loving service to our neighbor,” ELCA Bishop Mark Hanson said.
Tags: Bishop Mark Hanson, ELCA, Fatuma Elmi, Hillary Clinton, Hillary Rodham Clinton, LSS, Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, Mark Hanson, refugees, Secretary of State, social ministry organization, Somalia, U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees
