FBI Presents Director’s Community Leadership Award to Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains Refugee Director

Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
Published: 23 September 2022 23 September 2022

Albuquerque FBI Special Agent in Charge Raul Bujanda presented the 2021 FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award on Friday (September 23, 2022) to Farid Sharifi, director of Refugee and Asylee Programs at Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains.

Each of the FBI’s 56 field offices annually selects an individual or organization to receive this award, which honors efforts in combating crime, terrorism, drugs, and violence in America.

Lutheran Family Services, which has helped thousands of Afghan refugees resettle in New Mexico and other states in the Rocky Mountain region, provided the FBI and other government agencies with a better understanding of the needs and concerns of these new community members.

Thanks to meetings with Mr. Sharifi, the FBI started translating awareness campaign materials into Farsi, Dari, and Pashto for distribution to the refugees about hate crimes, human trafficking, and domestic violence.

He also has regularly briefed the FBI about refugee conditions and spoken to law enforcement and community partners about his program and how they can help.

The FBI, working with Mr. Sharifi, donated items such as clothing and toiletries to Lutheran Family Services last year.

“I am honored to be receiving this prestigious award from the FBI and am very grateful for their continued support of our work here in New Mexico,” Mr. Sharifi said. “During the recent Afghan humanitarian crisis, the Albuquerque FBI Field Office team was amazing and provided much needed support to our team which enabled us to provide the service and care that families needed to resettle in our great community.”

SAC Bujanda presented a certificate and crystal award to Mr. Sharifi at the Albuquerque FBI Field Office.

“Lutheran Family Services not only welcomed these newcomers during a tumultuous time in their lives, but also helped with housing, food, language classes, and even toys for the children,” SAC Bujanda said.  “The FBI is proud to partner with such an outstanding organization that is making a huge difference in so many lives.”

More information about the Director’s Community Leadership Award can be found at: https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/partnerships_and_outreach/community_outreach/dcla 

More information about Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains can be found at: https://www.lfsrm.org 

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