Lutheran agency is a federal refugee resettlement “contractor” bringing diversity to South Dakota

So why am I mentioning the obvious—that the Lutheran Social Services Center for New Americans in Sioux Falls is a federal “contractor?”  Because we have heard over and over again in angry tones that the contractors are not contractors using your money, your tax dollars, to do work for their clients (all the while pretending to be private ‘religious’ charities).

Into the weeds we go (but this is important!)….

Tim Jurgens, Director of LSS in South Dakota: “We are a contracted provider on behalf of the federal government.”

Not that long ago Asst. Secretary of State Anne Richard went to South Carolina and said critics must stop using the word “contractor” in reference to the agencies resettling refugees across 48 states (no refugees are resettled in Wyoming and Montana, yet).

But, here, in a gushy announcement of a ‘feel good’ propaganda event in Sioux Falls, refugee sub-contractor Lutheran Social Service of SD (sub-contractor to federal contractor Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service in Baltimore, MD) says they are, wait for it, a “contracted provider on behalf of the federal government.” (That is a federal contractor ‘for those in Rio Linda!’)

From KSFY (ABC):

The 21st annual ‘Taste of Cultures’ event benefiting Lutheran Social Services, Saturday, will help to celebrate cultural diversity and raise funds helping newcomers re-settle.  [What! No poor, elderly or homeless Americans left in South Dakota for the good Lutherans to help?—ed]

While the event is sold out, the awareness of a diverse community is key as hundreds of refugees continue to make Sioux Falls their home.

The Lutheran Social Services Center for New Americans is the only agency of its kind in the area.

“We are a contracted provider on behalf of the federal government. We provide initial resettlement for refugees that the president allows in each year. We resettle up to 420 each year. What we do is provide immediate assistance upon their arrival,” Program Director Tim Jurgens said. “The refugee resettlement program is an early self-sufficiency model. The expectation upon us is to have individuals employed within six months.”   [Yeh, good luck with that self-sufficiency lie!—ed]

By the way, the contractors (colonizing your towns and cities) really prefer to call themselves VOLAGs, that is short for Voluntary Agencies (see all nine here), but that is such a misnomer as most are largely federally funded.  $296 million went to LIRS alone since Obama took office.

Even as Anne Richard objects, you have my (and Tim’s!) permission to call federal refugee contractors—contractors!