Donor Group
Sees the Impact of LSS Renaissance Program
The term
"renaissance" means rebirth or revival. It is, therefore, an apt name for
the LSS Renaissance program, a residential facility for homeless youth in
Duluth. Six young people told their stories about having to start over,
when a group of LSS donors visited the LSS Renaissance program on June 13.
Those who heard these stories quickly realized that young people who
cannot live with their own families often find themselves without shelter,
resources or hope. But these young people did find help, through LSS, and
with help -- they found hope.
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One donor couple who visited
that day wrote to tell us that they were "very moved and impressed with
the program, youth and staff and we will remember the youth and staff in
our prayers."
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Another woman said she
"couldn't wait to share the experience she had had with others."
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Many of the donors commented:
"We can't imagine our kids having to go through what these young people
have already endured."
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All the guests were impressed
with how hard the kids were trying and what big obstacles they have had to
overcome.
Young, homeless people are
often invisible in society's eyes. Because they look just like other young
people, they are not recognized as homeless kids in the same ways that
homeless adults can be spotted. Usually, the LSS streetworkers are the
ones who find the homeless teens because of their on-street contacts. The
streetworkers carry a backpack or duffel bag with the streetworks logo. To
homeless teens, the person wearing the backpack is someone who can help
and someone who can be trusted.
The LSS Renaissance program
offers young people a chance to get their lives on-track toward
self-sufficiency. The donors learned from the staff and youth how each
resident makes a plan that includes education and employment, plus,
learning how to budget, shop, prepare meals and wash clothes. A total of
six young men and women are part of this program, located in a large,
over-the-store apartment in downtown Duluth.
The donors who visited LSS
Renaissance - and attended the LSS Board of Directors meeting the day
before, are members of the LSS Leadership Circle, composed of individuals
who contributed $5,000 or more to LSS last year.
Perhaps you would like to join
in various facility tours and Board meetings. For further information,
contact Morgen Rasmussen, VP of Development, 651-969-2280 or via e-mail at
mrasmussen@lssmn.org
