Lutheran Services Carolinas holds dedication for its newest office

With the announcement of LSC’s newest New Americans Program office in Myrtle Beach, the nonprofit hosted a dedication and open house on Sunday, March 12.

After discussing resettlement needs across the Carolinas with Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS), the organization decided to expand to two more locations to serve the most people – Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and Salisbury, North Carolina. The two newest locations join LSC’s offices in Greenville and Charleston, South Carolina and Asheville, North

Carolina.

“The dream is coming true in a big way. We are making new Americans, and we are building up this community with diversity, workers, and an entrepreneurial spirit,” LSC President Ted Goins said. “People just want a chance to thrive – to live. And they have escaped from either death or from persecution, from wherever they come from. And they just want a chance to live the American dream.”

The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce plans on supporting the program by connecting the refugees to jobs.

“That’s going to be the big part of this is helping to get the word out and then connecting business owners to these wonderful people that will be coming through Lutheran Services Carolinas,” said Karen Riordan, president and CEO of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.

South Carolina Synod Bishop Ginny Aebischer led those in attendance in a prayer and officially dedicated the office.

Shepherd of the Sea Lutheran Church also presented LSC with a $17,000 donation to support the LSC New Americans Program.