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Lutheran Social Services' refugee student program needs fundraising help

LSS needs money to continue its services. It launched a fundraising campaign called “We Understand Jax" that requires raising $50,000 by June 30.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Lutheran Social Services has been helping refugee students since 2000.

Take Englewood High School graduate Junior Wude. She’s got a smile out of this world and wants to be a lawyer.

She and her family came to Jacksonville from Uganda in 2013 because her dad needed surgery and militia groups were rising to power.

In Jacksonville, there are quite a few students just like her.

“They have come from places, a lot of times fleeing for their lives due to persecution in their home country,” said Casey Guenther with Lutheran Social Services.

Wude was able to get help from Lutheran Social Services, and said without it, there isn't much hope.

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“Some of them end of dropping out of school because of what they face in school, how people treat them and not having friends. They feel lonely and they can't do it anymore and they just drop out of school,” she explained.

LSS needs money to continue its services. It launched a fundraising campaign called "We Understand Jax" that requires raising $50,000 by June 30.

Its raised half so far.

As Wude gets her diploma Wednesday and steps towards her future, she encourages potential donors to think of her story.

“Since I got into the program, I met new people and understand culture."

If you want to donate and get involved, go to: weunderstandjax.com. The goal is attainable: LSS is asking 2,500 people to donate $10 each.