Children and Family Services

When a family finds themselves in the midst of war, famine, or persecution, survival often means a dangerous journey.

Sometimes families may be split apart as they flee, sometimes parents don’t survive the journey, and often children flee alone. In the past several years, we have seen a growing number of children flee to the U.S. from Central America, primarily El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, without any parent accompanying them. These children are often escaping gang violence, trafficking, threats, and extortion, as well as abuse, domestic violence, and poverty. Many are seeking to be reunified with family in the United States.

Our programs for immigrant children emphasize safety, family unification, and trauma-centered care. LIRS is a trusted partner of the U.S. government, playing a leading role in uniting unaccompanied immigrant children with their families. Our work ensures that each child has a safe, stable home.