We’re grateful when LIRS receives support from the talented members of the Lutheran Volunteer Corps (LVC). Besides keeping us in touch with our Lutheran roots, the “LVCers” offer us skills and savvy that move our work to a higher level.
This year, we’re benefiting from two new volunteers, Nick Kang and Luke Telander, and we’re excited that current volunteer Anne Dutton has committed to staying with us for a second year.
Luke (pictured left) is the Mission Advancement Department’s new Project Associate for Outreach. He hails from Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota and just graduated from St. Olaf College, where he studied History and Asian Studies. Luke speaks Mandarin and recently spent the summer in Morocco.
Nicholas (or Nick) (pictured right) is Access to Justice’s new Program Fellow. Born and raised in the city of Kamloops, British Columbia, Nicholas came to the United States to attend St. Olaf College after a three-year gap year playing Junior Ice Hockey. He graduated in May 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Social & Community Development. Nicholas enjoys hiking, fishing, and traveling.
Anne is from West Des Moines, Iowa and worked at organizations serving refugees and immigrants in St. Paul, Minnesota while she was a social work student at St. Olaf College. Anne has served as an Advocacy Assistant at LIRS for a year and has made valuable contributions to the LIRS Stand for Welcome campaign, the DREAM Act Sabbath campaign, and extensions of the Religious Worker Visa Program. She is an avid biker.
We hope this year is a fantastic one. Welcome Nick and Luke, “welcome back” Anne, and a huge thanks to all three of you for your commitment to standing with immigrants and refugees!