ConnectionsNews for friends of Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan

ISSUE 2 2010

Inside: From the President’s Desk | 10 Years Later | Journey of Hope | Realizing the Promise | Houser Adoption Scholarship Fund | Introducing the LSS Torchbearers | Hunger Garden | and more...

From the President’s DeskDEAR FRIENDS — “I promise…”

Making a promise is not something we take lightly in our lives. When someone makes a promise youwant to know you can depend on his or her word.

Behind the LSS flame lies such a promise. It is a promise that when you are served by LSS you canexpect the highest quality and best care available. That promise is behind our mission, “Motivated by thecompassion of Christ, we help people improve the quality of their lives,” and backed by a staff that isequipped, motivated and passionate to serve. I am proud of our agency’s long history of keeping thispromise as we serve over 108,000 people every year.

I spoke recently to a member of one of our ELCA supporting congregations and they reflected, “I amproud of my church’s connection to LSS and refer family and friends there because we can depend on them.LSS cares and they do what they say they are going to do.” I am pleased and proud of that assessmentand our staff work very hard every day to keep our promises of high quality care.

We understand that on our own we cannot deliver on the promise behind the LSS flame. It is a groupproject of which you are a key member. Your support makes the promise live and dependable. Your gifts,prayers and volunteerism make the mission hum and our service a reality to those who need us.

I invite you to look through the following pages and see how we are living out the mission and dependablydelivering on our promise. These are very difficult days with fiscal challenges, and the need for servicesis growing. LSS has made appropriate, prudent and proactive decisions that have kept us strong andhealthy so we can be there when folks need us. Your support has been a key to that success. Thank you —you do good work!

Blessings to you as we respond to God’s great promise of his immeasurable grace. His promises willnever be broken and it is that promise that we respond to, and reflect, through our mission.

Onward!

LSS Connections is a publication of Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. Please direct questions and comments to: Rebeca Borrero, Marketing & Communications Specialist, Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper

Michigan, 647 W. Virginia St., Suite 300, Milwaukee, WI 53204-1535, (414) 325-3053, rebeca.borrero@lsswis.org.

Main OfficesMilwaukee: (800) 488-5181Appleton: (920) 730-1326Eau Claire: (877) 967-5577Waukesha: (800) 216-3437

Hub OfficesBeaver Dam: (920) 887-3172Homme - Wittenberg: (715) 253-2116 Janesville: (608) 752-7660La Crosse: (608) 788-5090 Madison: (608) 277-0610Marquette, MI: (877) 994-8344Superior: (715) 394-4173Wausau: (715) 842-5577

LSS Senior ManagementW. Paul Brinkman Executive Vice President & CAOMeg Groves Vice President of Ministry SupportMichael Guns Vice President of Finance, CFOTed Hakala Vice President of Program ServicesRon Hauser Vice President of Program ServicesKari Humphrey Vice President of Human Capital Rev. David Larson President and CEORev. Larry Lutey Executive Vice President & COOJay Peterson Vice President of Gift PlanningDenise Pilz Vice President of PQIRobin Pitts Executive Support ManagerSandy Potts Vice President of Major GiftsStaci Wellentin Vice President of IT & CIO

On the cover: The Held family with the Bravado Challengeanniversary cake. Tim Held started the triathlon event in honorof LSS’s Birth-to-Three program. Story on page 3.

Pastor David Larson

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Making a promise is not something we take lightly in

our lives. Whensomeone makes apromise, you want

to know you can depend on

his or her word.

I PROMISE...

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Every day for 40 days straight, Tim and Katie Held visited their newborn son, Matthew, in the Neonatal

Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Waukesha Memorial Hospital. Tim would come straight to the hospital after

work and Katie would spend all day with her precious little baby, watching over him. The couple was more

than surprised when Matt was born nine weeks premature. There was no indication that there was anything

wrong during Katie’s pregnancy, no bed rest prescribed, no symptoms out of the ordinary. Sometimes the

cause of giving birth to a premature infant is simply unknown, which was the case for the Held family.

10 YEARS LATERthe Held family still growing strong

Tim Held started atriathlon fundraiser in honor of LSS’ Birth-to-Three program, aservice that aided hisfamily greatly followingthe premature birth of his son Matt. Today,Matt is a healthy 11-year-old and theBravado Challengehad 250 participantsthis year.

Continued on page 3

After 40 days of hospital food and late nights, Timand Katie were more than delighted to take theirnewborn home. Matt was not the only newcomer totheir home, they also had his heart rate monitor tocontend with. The fear they felt every time themonitor went off was not something they could prepare for and to this day Tim remembers thesound of the alarm vividly.

A heart rate monitor detects when a baby’s heartrate drops below 80 beats per minute, causing thebaby to stop breathing and sometimes become bluishin color. During sleep, premature infants can stopbreathing for 15 to 20 seconds. Gentle stimulationusually helps awaken the baby and once they growout of this stage, it never returns.

Premature babies also have special dietary needsbecause their digestive systems are not fully developed.“Matt had a lot of acid reflux. He was throwing upa lot, we were cleaning the sheets constantly,” saysTim. “We read a lot about his condition. The nursesat the NICU really prepare you.”

The road ahead would be challenging; Matt wouldneed speech and physical therapy. Thankfully, thehospital referred the new parents to LSS’ Birth-to-Three program, an early intervention program foryoung children with developmental delays or disabilities. The program offers home-based andfamily-centered services for children age birth tothree. Through the program, Matt learned to walkbefore he was one and later on began to talk withthe help of his speech therapist.

Although he faced many challenges as an infant,today Matt is a healthy 11-year-old boy. However,the story does not end here. Tim and Katie wantedto give back to the community who supported themthrough this trying time. The hospital was great, butthey knew the few hundred dollars they could raisewould not go far at such a large facility, so theychose to start a triathlon fundraiser in recognition of the LSS Birth-to-Three program.

“I do a little racing myself. I wanted to start a raceand give back, and LSS was a perfect place,” saysTim. In 2001, the ECO-Challenge was a popularreality show, a three-day adventure race in which

The Held Family ( from page 3)

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What does Bravado mean?

1) A show of courage.

2) Defiant, swaggering conduct.

3) The quality or state of being foolhardy.

Got Bravado? Save the date for the next Bravado Challenge onSaturday, June 4, 2011!

Jenny Bielecki and her baby girl, Isabella. Jenny is Katie Held’scousin who helps with the post race party.

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teams of four competed. The show inspired Tim tocreate a mini-version of the expedition, which helater named the Bravado Challenge.

The Bravado Challenge is an annual 3.5-mile hike/run, 8-mile bike ride, and 4-mile canoe/ kayakpaddle race to the finish line. “We always stressthat it’s not a super competitive race. It’s walkers,joggers…its family friendly,” Tim notes. “That’swhat’s made it successful.” This year the couplehelped to raise more than $10,000 to benefit theBirth-to-Three Program.

“It is amazing what one family can do,” says MissyKueht-Becker, Birth-to-Three program manager.“They really are not just one family either. Theyrepresent their own family, AND their aunts uncles,parents, in-laws, cousins, co-workers, teachers,nurses, associates, friends, friends of friends.”

What started as a small race with only 20 participants in 2001 has now grown to 250 participants in 2010 (up from 2009 with only180participants). “The first post party was in our backyard,” Tim chuckles. “This was really a grass rootseffort. At our event everyone knows everyone!”

Tim and Katie along with their two kids, Matt and7-year-old Miah, have nurtured the race into itstenth year. “Miah likes to hang out with grandmaat the post race party and help with the food preparation, while Matt is with Katie and me duringthe race. He’s going to be a race organizer someday,” boasts Tim.

With race headquarters stationed at their home inWaukesha, Wis., the event tends to dominate theHeld’s space and most of their time leading up tothe race. “The race is getting so big, that we needhelp,” Tim reveals. “We’re reaching out for peopleto be part of the planning committee for next year.”

If you are interested in volunteering or being on the planning committee, contact Tim via email at timheld@sbcglobal.net or Missy Kueht-Becker,Birth-to-Three program manager, at mkbecker@lsswis.org.

For more information about the Bravado Challengevisit www.bravadochallenge.org or on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/BravadoChallenge.

Bravado Challenge participants during the running leg of the event. Photo lower left: The canoeing segment of the triathlon.Photo on page 3: Bravado participants begin the biking portion of the challenge.

What started as a small race withonly 20participantsin 2001 hasnow grownto 250 participantsin 2010.

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A short time ago, eight special children wished fora family. For Jennifer, Marlon, Sandy Boy, Marie,Catherine, Danica, Bryan, and Joshua, a familywould truly be a dream come true. LSS adoptionambassadors hope to make those wishes come truesomeday soon.

The six ambassadors from various areas throughoutWisconsin and Michigan traveled to the Philippinesto visit with the children from June 19 throughJuly 1, 2010. Although LSS has been placing children from the Philippines for adoption formore than 20 years, this is only the third adoptionambassador trip since the program began in 2007.

The children, four boys and four girls between theages of 9 and 14 years old, come from differentchildcare agencies in the Philippines, includingVirlanie Foundation, House of Refuge, and BukidKabataan Center. Each childcare agency varies insize and arrangement, but they all try to create ahome-like atmosphere for the kids. House parentsare responsible for the children’s care, cooking,

and cleaning. In addition, there is a social workerat each home and house helpers who assist withhomework and plan activities for the kids to enjoy.

The ambassadors spent quality time with the children,uncovering each of their unique personalities.“Marlon’s favorite food is fish and Alex's favoritecolor is red because it stands for the heart. Danica’sfavorite subjects in school are English andScience. Marie's favorite fruit is mango whileJennifer loves vegetables. Catherine's favoriteanimal is a butterfly and Joshua is happiest whenhe is playing. Bryan's favorite color is blue for thesky,” Beth Opsal, one of the adoption ambassadors,wrote in her adoption blog.

As they spent time together, swapping stories andengaging in normal day-to-day talk, the childrengot to know the ambassadors too. Time passedquickly as the children and the ambassadors treasured their daily visits — playing games, reading books, swimming in the pool, visiting anaquarium, and eating at a local restaurant together.

JOURNEY OF HOPEAdoption Ambassadors return from the Philippines

Above: Six LSS AdoptionAmbassadors traveledto the Philippines inJune. The group hopesto find homes for eightspecial children.

Many of the places they visited the children hadnever been to before.

This was the first ambassador trip for Beth Opsal,LSS Program Coordinator.“It was a great experienceto see the potential that each of the children has,”says Beth. “There is a great need for older Filipinochildren, ages 8 and up, to find adoptive parents.”By law, once children turn 16 they are no longereligible for adoption due to U.S. immigration policy.

“As far as we know, LSS is the only agencyrecruiting for older children,” Beth notes.Representatives from Holt International Children’sServices also joined the adoption ambassadors ontheir recent trip. They wanted to learn more aboutthe program so they could replicate it in thePhilippines and possibly in China.

Since the program’s inception, 17 out of 23 childrenwere united with adoptive families. Although theambassadors will not return to the Philippines tovisit with the children again, they will not forgetthe promise they made to each of them.“We haven’tstopped talking about the children we met sinceour feet touched ground on U.S. soil,” say adoptionambassadors, Bong and Wendy Jornales. “Meetingand spending time with the children in theircountry, their home, their school and with theircaretakers provides a much fuller appreciation of theuniqueness of each child and inspires us to findthat forever family they so deserve.”

All the ambassadors continue in their efforts tofind the children families through their network ofresources. They frequently send birthday cards,letters, and photos reminding the kids that they arestill in their thoughts and prayers, and are workingdiligently to find them a family.

Throughout this journey of hope the adoptionambassadors blogged about their experience in the Philippines and posted photos from their trip.You can continue to follow their blog at www.caringbridge.org/visit/lssphilippines.

You can make a difference in these childrens’ lives:

• SHARE this story with someone who may beinterested in pursuing adoption

• ARRANGE for one of the ambassadors to givea presentation of their experience

• GIVE a charitable gift to the ambassador program• SPREAD the message about the need for

families for older children• FOLLOW the adoption ambassadors’ blog at

www.caringbridge.org/visit/lssphilippines• www.facebook.com/lssadopt

The Government of the Philippines, through theInter-Country Adoption Board (ICAB) in Manila,establishes program criteria for all inter-countryadoptions. If you would like more information onadoption, contact Beth Opsal or visitwww.lssadopt.org.

How can you become an ambassador? LSS’ next Adoption Ambassador Trip to thePhilippines will be in late 2011 or early 2012(exact date to be determined). Up to six spots areavailable. Contact Beth Opsal for information.

Programs like the LSS Adoption Ambassadors arepossible through the generous support of churches,community groups and individuals. Thank you foryour support in making this journey of hope areality, and for helping LSS find forever familiesfor these deserving children.

www.caringbridge.org/visit/lssphilippines

How can you help?

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Contact Information

Call Beth Opsal, Program Coordinator, at (715) 552-2465or contact any 2010 Adoption Ambassador via email:Beth Opsal, Eau Claire Beth.Opsal@lsswis.orgKim Westfahl, Waukesha Kim.Westfahl@lsswis.orgSigna Meyers, Oshkosh Signa.Meyers@lsswis.orgBong and Wendy Jornales,

Holland, MI arnismaster@comcast.netJennifer Hoggatt, Waukesha jhoggatt@wi.rr.com

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Over 128 years ago, Rev. E.J. Homme founded HommeHomes of Wittenberg, Wisconsin. Rev. Homme’s greatgranddaughter, Madeline Homme Phipps and her husbandKen recently visited Wittenberg and on one of their manystops toured the LSS Homme Youth & Family campus.

During her visit, Madeline shared pictures and articles abouther youth days at Homme. After touring the Homme campus,Madeline and Ken were honored at an open house at theBethany Chapel inside of Homme Homes.

“Although E.J. had the dream of establishing the Homes, itis the wonderful generosity and dedication of thousands ofpeople and churches throughout the 128 years who gave oftheir time, care, love and gifts that have made the HommeHomes the success that they still are,” Madeline said duringher speech at the reception.

Homme Youth and Family Programs offer various individual,family and group therapy sessions, alcohol and other drugabuse services, as well as a high school and middle school forat risk youth ages 10-19. In addition, outpatient, assessment,and respite services are available. There are six units (fourfor males and two for females) devoted to youth and all theunits have private bedrooms and house up to 14 residents.

Photo top: LSS staff at Homme Youth and Family is pictured below withKen Phipps and Maddi Homme Phipps. Photo bottom: Traditionally students who graduate from Homme ring the bell as a symbol of theirdeparture. Maddi Homme Phipps rings the Homme school bell signalingher departure.

Home to Homme:Great Granddaughter of Community Founder Returns

Rev. E.J. Homme

Realizing the PromiseTHANKS TO YOU

Behind LSS’ mission statement — Motivated by the compassion of Christ, we help peopleimprove the quality of their lives — is a promise to those we serve, and it’s because of you that

this promise is realized. We at LSS are so thankful for the support churches and donors have givenover the years. Your contributions have made a real difference in our programs and in the lives ofour clients. Here are some examples of how you have helped realize our promise.

More than 300 foster kids of all agesenjoyed getting new back to schoolclothes and backpacks full of school supplies thanks to the Urban Threadsclothing distribution center. Foster kidsalso enjoyed breakfast and free haircutsfrom Empire Global Educational Schooland other giveaways to help prepare themfor a new school year in style.

This is the sixth annual back to schoolevent for Urban Threads.This year theyhelped even more families thanks to new partnerships with Xerox, Cargill,Walgreen’s, and Empire GlobalEducational School along with continuedpartner, Kohl’s Department Store.

“We couldn’t do this without our volunteers! This event is a true example of‘It takes a village to raise a child,’” saysCarla Schultz, Urban Threads programcoordinator. “We also can’t forget themany LSS staff who volunteered with usto pull this off.”

This was the last back to school event atthe Hawley Road location. In Decemberof 2010, Urban Threads will be movingto a new location at 5300 W. LincolnAvenue in Milwaukee.

A special thanks to New Threads ofHope, Urban Threads’ partner for thepast six years, for their support in helpingthe program continue to serve families inneed. The Milwaukee company linksmanufacturers and their valuable surpluswith non-profit groups, such as LSS. Theclothing center stocks their shelves withname-brand clothing, with contributionsfrom companies such as Kohl’s, Lands’End, Columbia Sportswear, and ScheelsSporting Goods. In fact, Urban Threadsis one of the only centers of its kind inWisconsin that offers brand new clothingfor those in need.

In addition, a young man working towardhis Eagle Scout award, Rex Key, securedfood donations and $1,800 in cash. Heactually raised more than was anticipatedfor the food so the remaining dollarswent toward buying additional schoolsupplies for the kids. In April of 2010,Rex began his fundraising efforts andexceeded expectations.

Rex is a member of Mt. Hope LutheranChurch in West Allis and volunteered atUrban Threads about three years ago. Hewas so touched by what the programdoes he returned to volunteer to earn hiscommunity service badge and later took onthe fundraiser as his Eagle Scout project.

This year, Kohl’s supplied volunteers toplan the event, prep for the event, andprovided 120 volunteers on the day of theevent. Volunteers helped families shopfor clothing and distributed supplies andbreakfast throughout the day. Kohl’semployees also donated $3,240 towardbuying new clothing for the clothingcenter. In addition, when Kohl’s employeesvolunteer, Urban Threads receives afinancial grant through Kohl’s Associatein Action program.

Several ELCA churches in the areaincluding St. John’s in Brookfield, Mt.Hope in West Allis, Lutheran Memorialin West Allis and Ascension Lutheran inMilwaukee provided volunteers to helpUrban Threads staff get ready for andhold the event.

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Kohl’s volunteers and LSS staff prepared for the back to school event.

Back to SchoolCelebration prepares Milwaukee foster children for a new school year

Eagle Scout Rex Key

LSS Program of the Year Award Criteria

One LSS program is recognized in each line of service using thefollowing criteria:

• Exceptional performance• Management and application of the core values of collaboration,

accountability and transparency in their work• Managing their resources in an ever-changing human services

environment• Seeking opportunities for growth • Strengthening their program• Appreciation and development of staff• Exceptional implementation of plans that significantly move

forward the mission, vision and strategic goals of LSS

Each line of service nominates a program, and one program isselected from the list of nominees as the program of the year.

Congratulations to Voices for Youth —

2010 LSS Program of the Year!

Realizing the Promise — THANKS TO YOU

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From April 2009 thru March 2010, more than 150young adults received support services through theVFY program. Services included life skills training,employment assistance and educational programmingto assist them in securing permanent housing andattaining their independence. In addition, 14 homeless young adults ages 18-21 lived in VFY’stransitional housing and supportive services center.

VFY offers services 24-hours a-day, seven days aweek and tailors services to fit individual needs. Theprogram’s services are designed to meet the basicneeds of homeless youth, while at the same timeoffering support services that allow youth to reunitewith their family or make a successful transition toindependence. Services are available free of chargefor youth ages 10 to 21. The program serves youthin Delta, Dickinson, Iron, Marquette, Menominee,and Schoolcraft counties in Michigan.

“It’s simple. Everyone needs love and positiveforces in their life, people to cheer us on, and giveus a second or third chance, or however many ittakes, and to know that there are people who will notgive up on them no matter what the circumstances,”Jenna concludes.

VFY staff and friends celebrated the honor during a luncheon on September 8, 2010 at MessiahEvangelical Lutheran Church in Marquette,Michigan. Program partners and supporters fromchurches, local businesses, social service agencies,and other LSS programs attended the event to honorVoices for Youth staff for their service and dedication.

2010 LSS Program of the Year: Voices for YouthHomelessAwareness Week2010 is fromNovember 14-20,2010 — but don’tlet that stop youfrom raisingawareness all year long!

Lutheran Social Services (LSS) recently namedVoices for Youth (VFY) the 2010 Program of theYear for service excellence.

“This Program of the Year Award is representativeof the hard work and dedication of our employees,volunteers, donors, and other social service agencieswe work closely with,” says Jenna Martin, VFYprogram supervisor. “They are very special peoplewho share in a vision of improving lives. They provide much-needed services for our participantsto be taught under a guiding eye so wounds can healin a safe environment.”

The Voices for Youth program has been offeringservices to runaway and homeless youth in theUpper Peninsula of Michigan for over 15 years. In2009, the program added program services in threenew counties and doubled its capacity to serveyouth in Upper Michigan. The program thrivesthrough its partnerships with local businesses,churches and community members.

According to the Michigan Coalition AgainstHomelessness: There are 86,189 homeless peopleliving in Michigan, and one in three of them is achild. Thirty-seven percent of single persons homeless in 2008 were homeless for the first time.

Homelessness does not discriminate against age, race, gender, or social standing. Homeless people

can live in a big or small town, come from a rich orpoor upbringing. Due to family problems, economicproblems, and/or residential instability, many youngpeople become homeless at an early age.

Thrivent Choice Dollars ProgramThrivent Financial for Lutherans has a new charitable grant program called Thrivent Choice Dollars. If you are eligible to participate,you should have received a letter in July or August detailing how the program works and your estimated 2010 Choice Dollars.

Please consider directing your Thrivent Choice Dollars to Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. Keep in mind thatthere may be more than one eligible member in your household and each person needs to specifically direct their own Choice Dollars.This is what you need to do in order to participate.

Thank you for supporting Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan through Thrivent Choice Dollars. Your gifts help our mission: Motivated by the compassion of Christ, we help people improve the quality of their lives.

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By Phone:Step 1 Call 1-800-847-4836 and say, “Thrivent Choice.”

Follow the prompt and you will reach a “live”Thrivent representative who will assist you.

Step 2 Be sure to specify that you want to designate“Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and UpperMichigan in Milwaukee, Wisconsin” to receive yourChoice Dollars.

Step 3 Consider setting up the recurring option, so thatThrivent will automatically forward your ChoiceDollars to us without any further action.

Online:Step 1 Visit www.Thrivent.com/choicedollars. If you have

not already registered in Thrivent’s LutheransOnline, you will need to register and set up a username and password.

Step 2 Search for “Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsinand Upper Michigan in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.”

Step 3 Select the option to direct your Choice Dollars now.Step 4 Consider setting up the recurring option, so that

Thrivent will automatically forward your ChoiceDollars to us without any further action.

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Ron and Elisa Houser adopted their daughter, Katarina, in 2001 fromNovosibirsk, Russia through LSS’ adoption program. Although the couple hadchildren of their own, after hearing their friend talk about the challengesorphaned children face in Russia, the Housers knew that adoption was a journeythey were destined to take.

Since then the Housers have been passionate about helping other children andfamilies who need assistance financing their own adoptions. “We discoveredthere are a lot of families who want to adopt but can’t afford it,” says ElisaHouser. “The average Russian adoption now costs about $45,000. We wanted todo something to help families in need.” The Housers sponsored two summercamps that brought older kids from Russia to Wisconsin for two weeks, resultingin all of the children finding an adoptive family.

From there the Houser Adoption Scholarship Fund was born in 2009. Thescholarship provides financial assistance to families looking to adopt throughLSS’ adoption program. The Houser Family Foundation funds the scholarshipprogram and in the short time since its inception has provided scholarships tofive families.

“At LSS our mission is to improve the quality of people’s lives and our visionis to change the world one grace-filled life at a time. There is no better exampleof mission and vision in action than when the Houser family stepped forward toassist in creating forever families by connecting children and orphanages withwaiting parents here in Wisconsin,” says David Larson, LSS President & CEO.“To watch the eyes and smiling faces of both children and families as they areunited is one of the greatest gifts. We are ever thankful to the Housers forenabling this kind of wonderful event to take place — for without their generosityit could not have happened.”

LSS honored Ron and Elisa Houser and recipients of the scholarship fund at areception on Tuesday, August 24, 2010. The reception was held at AdventLutheran Madison Christian Community in Madison, Wisconsin. During thereception, the Housers met four of the five families that were recipients of thescholarship fund.

“What a wonderful experience it was to meet the families we’ve heard so muchabout,” says Elisa. “It’s amazing to see kids who were in an orphanage fourmonths ago and to see them now happy and smiling. The stories are heartbreakingand the parents are so grateful and appreciative. It was an emotional experienceand a really wonderful opportunity to help other families adopt.”

The Housers’ daughter, Katarina, is now 9-1/2 years old. “If you can change thelife of one child you can really make a difference,” says Elisa. “Katarina haschanged our lives. We want our daughter to be involved in helping other childrenbe as fortunate too, by continuing to involve her with the scholarship program.”

Learn more at www.lssadopt.org.

Houser Adoption Scholarship Fund:Helping Wisconsin FamiliesAdopt Children from Russia

Photos top: Matthew Koehler, one the children who found his forever family thanks to theHouser Adoption Scholarship Fund. Middle: Ron and Elisa Houser pictured with their daughter,Katarina (far right) and two of the children who found families. Bottom: Marlee Mattes &Katarina Houser.

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Lutheran Social Services (LSS) of Wisconsin andUpper Michigan recently introduced the LSSTorchbearers program, creating community aroundlike-minded leaders committed to impacting the livesof those served through LSS.

The concept behind the LSS Torchbearers is inspiredby the LSS flame. Behind the LSS flame is a promise— a promise to those we serve, a light of hope.Members of the LSS Torchbearers help to ignite thepromise behind that flame. LSS Torchbearers are dedicated to providing ongoing, renewable, sustainablesupport that is crucial in helping LSS fulfill its missionand to continue providing the high level of ministryfor which LSS is known. By providing annual, ongoing, sustainable support, the LSS Torchbearershelp to better position LSS for years to come inmeeting the varied needs of those we serve.

Any cumulative gift of $1,000 or greater within a givencalendar year qualifies a donor to be recognized as anLSS Torchbearer. Membership provides recognition ofeach Torchbearer’s dedicated efforts to assist in keepingthe LSS mission and organization strong.

The Board of Directors of the LSS Foundation cordiallyinvites you to become an LSS Torchbearer. Those whojoin LSS Torchbearers between now and May 2011 willbe recognized as Charter Members.

Levels of Recognition:Fuel the Flame – $1,000 - $2,499 - Fuel is essential tohave a flame. This level of giving honors those whoseunselfish and generous total annual giving provides thebroad base of annual, ongoing, sustainable supportrequired to keep LSS strong.

Light the Flame – $2,500 - $4,999 - A source ofignition brings the flame into being. This level ofgiving honors those whose unselfish and generoustotal annual giving provides gifts of $20.00 to$40.00 for each of the 127 years of LSS history inWisconsin and Upper Michigan.

Carry the Flame – $5,000 - $7,499 - Carrying theflame forward brings the caring ministry of LSS tothose who need it most. This level of giving honorsthose whose unselfish and generous total annual givingprovides gifts of $40.00 to $60.00 for each of the 127years of LSS history in Wisconsin and Upper Michigan.

Lift the Flame – $7,500 - $9,999 - The flame givesgreater light to many more people when it is lifted up.This level honors those whose unselfish and generoustotal annual giving provides gifts in the range of$60.00 to $80.00 for each of the 127 years of LSS history in Wisconsin and Upper Michigan.

President’s Council of the Flame – $10,000+ -Honors those whose unselfish and generous annualsupport provides leadership required to motivate giving at all levels and to assure staff, volunteers and particularly the people being served through theministry of LSS that the promise behind the LSSflame is real. Members of the President’s Council ofthe Flame will be invited to gather for personal timewith the President and CEO.

To learn more about Torchbearers please contact an LSS representative:

Meg Groves meg.groves@lsswis.org or (608) 444-4809

Jay Petersonjay.peterson@lsswis.org or (715) 552-2435

Sandy Pottssandy.potts@lsswis.org or (920) 730-1325

Introducing the LSS Torchbearers

HUNGER GARDEN

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As the fall leaves blossom, the Marquette HungerGarden’s 2010 harvesting season concludes. What beganas a small Sunday school project for students at MessiahLutheran church has now grown because of a unique network with several community organizations. TheLutheran Campus Ministry (LCM) of Northern MichiganUniversity (NMU) and Lutheran Social Services’ (LSS)Voices for Youth program joined forces to get this gardenoff the ground.

A $1,000 grant from the Hunger Awareness Educationfund of the ELCA subsidized the garden project this year,helping it grow past its roots from a hunger garden into agarden of knowledge.

The planting season embarked in April when volunteersbegan weeding and seeding. The prospect of growing:snow peas, tomatoes, carrots, beets, radishes, peppers,beans, Swiss chard, squash, potatoes, cucumbers, andonions, was ambitious, but promising.

In May, Pastor Jim Duehring from Prince of PeaceLutheran Church blessed the garden.

Through weekly lessons, field trips, and hands-on guidanceGisele Duehring, hunger garden project coordinator, helpsparticipants reap the most benefits from the garden.Residents of the Voices for Youth (VFY) program andNMU students gathered every other week with Gisele for alife skills group. During the sessions, they examinedSimply in Season —a resource guide, which connectsfood and faith while exploring the value of eating local,seasonal food.

“It raises our awareness of the people and steps involvedin growing, processing, and delivering our food to us. We'vediscussed hunger —both undernourishment and over-nourishment. We've thought aloud about sustainabilityand impacts of consuming locally produced foods, as wellas consuming seasonal produce, which raise awareness oflocal and global hunger, nutrition, and food,” says Giselein her online blog about the garden project.

Participants also enjoyed harvesting, cooking, and visitinglocal farmers’ markets. The weeding and waiting wasdiscouraging at first, but their patience rewarded them inlate August, when participants, at last, were able todelight in the variety of vegetables from the garden.

“They feel purposeful out in the garden; they know theydon’t need a huge car, or a huge budget…just time.Although volunteers come and go, to know no matter ifthey come once for weeding, or once for a lesson, they goaway learning a skill, learning something more than whatthey came with,” Gisele says is the most important lessonshe’s learned from this project.

In August and September, the Voices for Youth staffstocked their food pantry with the garden’s fresh produceand distributed it to the homeless youth they serve.

“The gardening lessons have given community volunteersthe opportunity to assist VFY participants in, not onlylearning how to grow their own food and develop a morehealthy, inexpensive diet, our clients are also developingself-confidence and a sense of being a positive part of the

HUNGER GARDEN Youth Community Garden Helping FeedHomeless Youth in Marquette, Michigan

GROWING PAST ITS ROOTS

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greater Marquette community, says Jenna Martin, Voicesfor Youth Supervisor. Through involvement in the upkeepof the Hunger Garden, volunteers and participants learnthe value of working together. The fruits of their labor willbe well earned nourishment to the participants, volunteers, and the members of the community overall.”

Now that the harvesting season has ended, plans for thefollowing season have begun. The group hopes to extend thegarden and prepare it for winter in the upcoming months.

A snapshot of the project is available online. Gisele blogs regularly about the group’s adventures and she postspictures on the site as well. You can follow the blog at http://marquettehungergarden.blogspot.com.

Voices for Youth offers services designed to meet the basicneeds of homeless youth, while at the same time offeringsupport services that allow youth to reunite with their fam-ily or make a successful transition to independence.

GROWING PAST ITS ROOTSServices are available free of charge for youth ages 10 to21. Services offered 24-hours a-day, seven days a weekand tailored to fit individual needs. Programs serve youthin Delta, Dickinson, Iron, Marquette, Menominee, andSchoolcraft counties in Michigan. The Marquette HungerGarden is one of three gardens the VFY clients are tendingto with the help of community partners. Stay tuned forfuture stories on the two other gardens.

Group photo of participants (l-r): Michael Martin (LSS CommunityService Specialist), Jen Geller (G.E.D Groups Facilitator), AnneRieboldt (Case Manager), Pastor Dave VanKley (Messiah LutheranChurch & LSS Board), Kyle Aho (Volunteer-HungerGarden), Sarah Harriger (Volunteer-HungerGarden), Gisele Duehring (Leader-HungerGarden), Jenna Martin (Voices forYouth Program Manager), CassieLewis (Voices for Youth Participant),Desiree Aho (Voices for YouthParticipant), Pastor Jim Duehring(Prince of Peace Lutheran Church)

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LSS to Create Area Leadership Teams,Comprised of Community Leaders

In an effort to bring together community leaders committed to advancing the mission of Lutheran Social Services (LSS), the Development Committee of the LSSFoundation Board of Directors has authorized the creation of Area LeadershipTeams (ALT). The teams will be demographically organized in regions across thetwo state area.

The Area Leadership Teams will:• Engage a cross-section of community leaders with a heart for the social

ministry of LSS and to inform and keep members knowledgeable of both thesuccesses and challenges of advancing the LSS mission.

• Engage community leaders in the visioning and planning processes of LSS, andto provide a forum to seek the guidance and counsel of the ALT members.

• Enroll local community leaders in LSS’ mission and vision in their communities.• Assist in identifying volunteer opportunities, encouraging community leaders

to become familiar with local and statewide programs and to serve as ambassadors for LSS.

• Identify and develop a pool of prospective Board members for LSS and the LSS Foundation.

Area Leadership Teamswill help advance theLSS Mission: Motivatedby the compassion ofChrist, we help peopleimprove the quality oftheir lives.