The Harpstead Column
Donors' gifts equal safe,
supportive places to live
By Jodi Harpstead, LSS Chief
Advancement Officer
LSS'
individual and anonymous donors who, in one way or another, show they
care, especially bless thousands of people who are assisted by Lutheran
Social Service each year. This is particularly true today when government
has cut back on spending for human services.
Decisions
reached during 2003 in Minnesota are making life more difficult for those
living on the margins. Thanks to the leadership of the Senate Health and
Human Services Committee and others, further cuts were averted in 2005,
but the 2003 cuts have trickled down through the state and county social
service system to impact negatively the work of LSS and the people we
serve.
The safety
net for kids is the thinnest. LSS has offered drop-in shelters and
longer-term housing for at-risk teens for almost two decades. Just about
every other year, there are some funding issues that make it difficult to
maintain these services. With your help, the services have been kept
whole.
Who was
there for kids in our greatest time of need? YOU. Our "Safe Homes, Hopeful
Futures" campaign raised enough money to assure that LSS services for
at-risk kids were kept intact for the past two years. Had it not been for
individual donors, these services may have closed.
For all
those young people who are being helped by LSS, we must thank our donors.
You have made it possible for us to be there for kids during their times
of acute need and life transition. And some of you have also written
letters to public officials to encourage policies that are sincere about
caring for the well-being of children. Our goal is that every child and
youth has a safe, supportive place to live.
God bless
you and your families at this time of year and thank you for your support.
Especially this year, your caring is making all the difference.
