FALL
RESPONSE 2000 ISSUE
SPECIAL people and their stories
President's
Message
"What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you
say." Ralph Waldo Emerson
Indeed, our actions - oftentimes more than our
words - speak most eloquently about what we think, what we value, and how we live our
lives.
In this issue of Response, we are proud to
profile some of the people and organizations who are using their talents and resources to
invest - in a very personal way - in the lives of others. We lift them up, and we are
grateful for them.
Whether the action is mentoring a vulnerable
child, taking an elderly senior grocery shopping, cooking a meal for a group of homeless
kids, re-wiring a group home, hiring and training new immigrants, or donating a house for
chemically-dependent kids, there are big and small ways to make a difference.
As a supporter of LSS, you might be interested
in knowing that LSS has spent several months establishing long-range plans and future
direction for our work through the year 2005. You will be hearing more about this over the
course of this year! But part of our strategic plan stresses the importance and value of
working together with you, our donors, and continuing to inspire more volunteerism and
partnership with businesses and local communities.
Read on! If you are inspired and want to be more
involved, give us a call. For when we all pick up some of life's stones along our journey,
together we can move mountains! And we can serve the Lord.
In the words of Jesus, who spoke so passionately
about caring for the forgotten, the unloved and those left behind, "Whenever you did
it to any of my people, you did it for me."
Sincerely,
Mark A. Peterson
President/CEO
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Hammers,
nails and commitment
"I'll help LSS as long as my body can physically
handle it," vows volunteer carpenter Dave Baerg, "because I think it's our
obligation to share our physical and financial means."
Four years ago Dave and volunteer electrician Rich Skoglund renewed an acquaintance begun
at Family of God Lutheran Church in Brooklyn Park, and teamed up to transform about a
dozen LSS properties by remodeling them into homes for individuals with developmental
disabilities.
Wirecutters and hammer in hand, Rich and Dave reconstruct the average
house to meet state codes by adding wheelchair ramps and egress windows, widening
doorways, adding lights and outlets, hardwiring smoke alarms, and building special
bathrooms with electric lifts and roll-in showers.
The Lexington home, located in Roseville, is a
recent project. "This is better than the apartment that I shared," explains
Lexington resident Roger King. "I have my own room, and we have cookouts in our yard.
I really like this place."
"LSS is the finest to work with because
their priorities are right," Rich said. "I can see their devotion to those in
their care, and how LSS staff help make these houses homes." He has taken the
additional step of establishing a charitable remainder trust that includes LSS as a
beneficiary. "I'd like to encourage others to think about all avenues of giving:
financially as well as skills, because LSS does such good."
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A Place To Belong
Every child deserves a loving family. But what happens when tragedy strikes,
and the family a child once knew is gone forever?
Andrea, a young child with mild developmental
delays, is one of those children.
Four years ago, she was an only child living in a loving, single-parent home. But the
unthinkable happened when her mother died unexpectedly, leaving her orphaned.
At just eight years old, she moved to an aunt's
home, but her special needs were too much for the family. So she was placed in an
emergency shelter. She later came to Vasa Children's Home in Red Wing, a program of
Lutheran Social Service that provides long-term residential care for children with
developmental disabilities.
She rarely spoke and had difficulty leaving her
room. She mourned the loss of her mother and felt depressed. "I cried a lot when I
came to Vasa," Andrea said.
But slowly, her world changed. She felt love and
care at Vasa, and was connected with a special family in Red Wing. Over the past two
years, Peggy and David Lorentz have integrated Andrea into their family as if she were a
child of their own. Their daughter Becca, who works at Vasa and attends college nearby,
also thinks the match with her family is great. "I always wanted a little
sister!" Becca said.
Each week, Andrea spends time at the family's home, situated on 300 rolling
acres of farmland near Vasa. Andrea likes to sing, listen to Irish music, bike and bake
brownies with Peggy.
She also likes to play with the dog, Sophie.
With some apprehension, she even stretched her self-confidence by trying horseback riding.
"I like to come here a lot," Andrea
said.
"When we have family days at Vasa, it is
the Lorentzes who come with Andrea," explains Diane Perrier, Vasa program director.
"Andrea is very proud of them. She calls Peggy 'her Peggy' and David 'her David.' And
with Becca, it's almost a sibling rivalry! They like to tease each other. Andrea feels
solidly that she belongs someplace."
Serving as surrogate parents, the Lorentzes
attend Andrea's school conferences and are involved in quarterly meetings at Vasa to set
goals and help plan her activities. And Andrea goes on family vacations with the
Lorentzes.
"She expands our horizons," Peggy said.
"With our grown kids, she gives us a reason to get on the merry-go-round. And she has
taught us a lot. Andrea moves at a different speed, and we learn to appreciate life in the
slower lane. She also gives us a lot of love, and she can be really funny!"
The Lorentzes are an industrious family. Peggy
is an OB/GYN doctor and David has spent 25 years as an industrial mechanic. Matt and Joe,
their sons, live and work in Seattle and Mankato, respectively. Becca is working and
living at home while studying Human Services at a local community college to expand her
expertise in working with children who have special needs. Even with their busy lives, the
Lorentzes saw a need and wanted to reach out.
"People may have fear of someone with a
developmental disability," Peggy added, "and on some level there is a difference
and you need to adapt. But bottom-line, they're just kids. When you go to Vasa, it's a
home environment. The kids are outside playing ball and having fun. Sometimes, they just
need someone to reach out to them."
David has also endeared himself to the kids at
Vasa. Often he drops in with the dog just to visit and make the kids smile. "He's
become a real popular item!" Peggy jokes.
Of course, he's most popular with Andrea. To her, he's tops! The feeling is mutual, says
David.
"Our relationship with Andrea is very
rewarding," added David. "She adds to our life as much as we add to hers."
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Vasa Lutheran Home
In 1865, Pastor Eric Norelius and his
congregation in Vasa, Minnesota, near Red Wing took in four orphaned children. This was
the first act of caring that began Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota. Today, Vasa
continues its mission of compassionate care to 50 children and youth with developmental
disabilities.
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Groceries to go!
January 1999 marked the start of a new year, and
the end of a business vital to the small town of Kennedy, Minnesota. The closing of the
local grocery store was a blow to the Kittson County community of 325, according to City
Clerk Shannon Mortenson.
"We really wondered what our citizens would
do," remembered Shannon, "since many have health problems that prevent
driving."
She said that a community-wide effort, including
pastors of the Maria Lutheran and Evangelical Mission Covenant churches and other
community boosters, devised a creative solution that may be a "first" for the
area: congregate shopping!
A partnership including the city of Kennedy, the Kittson Memorial Healthcare
Center, the Kennedy/Donaldson Senior Citizens, the Northwest Area Agency on Aging and LSS
created the innovative weekly shopping program. It utilizes the Healthcare Center's
handicap-accessible van to transport five to eight seniors from Kennedy to the grocery
store in Hallock, and home again. A grant from the Minnesota Board on Aging/Area Agency on
Aging funds the fuel and other expenses, and a pool of Kennedy citizens volunteer to drive
and staff the weekly trips. The service has evolved to include time for users to schedule
health-care visits, prescription refills, and one rider has a standing appointment with
her hairdresser!
Retired teacher Norma Carlson, who uses a walker and wheelchair to assist her
mobility, relies upon the van and its lift to transport her to medical appointments. She
also sends along her grocery list to be filled by one of the volunteers. "I was so
relieved when I heard about the program," said Norma, "and it is especially
helpful in winter weather."
Forty-year Kennedy resident Marge Stromberg
explains, "I'm not good at giving speeches, or heading a committee, but I can assist
with shopping for my neighbors. This is a fun way to personally help, as well as to
support our community. We want to continue our town's activities!"
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Mentoring helps children along life's way
As a new mentor, Kaylo Brooks was elated when she first met two little girls
she had been matched with through an LSS Brainerd program.
"Here they were, blond and looking like
me!" said the 24-year-old college student who is studying social work.
Seven years ago, the girls lost their mother and
brother in a car accident. Two years ago, Tashauna, 12, and her younger sister, Kayla, 11,
signed on with the LSS mentoring program and joined 30 other children who now have another
adult role model to help them along life's way.
"I really care about them," Kaylo
said. "I want to see them succeed. They've sort of been dealt a cruel hand, and
they're such wonderful little girls. In the two years we've known each other, they've
never fought once! They've really needed each other, and are so considerate of each
other's feelings."
Together, the threesome will spend up to four
hours each week on outings at the park, on school shopping trips, swimming at the
community pool, or just out for a milkshake to talk. "She's really fun to be
with," says Kayla. "We talk about school or friends or girl things."
"While the children have a father who loves them, it's important for the girls to
have a female adult they can turn to if they have questions," adds Kaylo. "I try
to help them develop good decision-making skills and maintain high self-esteem by
affirming the terrific girls that they are."
Sometimes, it's hard to tell whether you are
making an impact on a young child. That all became clear for the mentor around Mother's
Day this year. Kayla made her a specially decorated jar in school that said Happy Mother's
Day on it, with 12 written messages inside telling her how much she meant to her.
"For anyone worried about the direction
young people are headed today," Kaylo said, "I can't think of a better way to
make a difference than being personally involved in their lives."
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Nord House: Helping kids heal, succeed
With their gift of a house to LSS, Dee and Bill
Nord have created a place of healing and a safe haven for more than 300 kids.
The house in Golden Valley, Minn., donated in
1993, was first used as a home for Vietnamese boys who had fled their communist homeland,
leaving everything behind - including loving families.
In the mid-1990s, when the political landscape
changed in Vietnam and young refugees no longer fled their country, Nord House evolved
into a service to address another emerging need in our community: young girls with lives
turned upside down by chemical dependency. Here are two profiles of young people for whom
Nord House was a saving grace.
Tan's story
Tan, 13, fled Vietnam alone after five failed escapes with his family. As he walked
to the boat, two thoughts surfaced: I will never see my family again, and I will
die in the ocean.
Tan survived, and made it to Minnesota. He lived
with foster parents until his graduation from high school. But at 18, he wasn't ready to
tackle life on his own.
Nord House, a story-and-half home on a quiet
street, made Tan's transition possible.
While living there until age 21, Tan worked part-time and attended North Hennepin
Technical College where he designed and built cabinetry. He also attended the University
of Minnesota to study Graphic Design.
Tan added that two other young men and a foster
parent lived in the house, too. "We were all growing up at the same time,
step-by-step," Tan said. "There were rules. Nord House provided
protection."
"Our dream was to have a group home of our
own so the kids could achieve independence and success in their lives," said Ngo
Pham, former Nord House director. "Most of our kids had been independent in their
home country. Here in Minnesota, they needed help adjusting to a new life, and someone to
show them the way."
Within Nord House's structure - complete with monthly visits from an American
and a Vietnamese social worker - Tan flourished.
Now, he is employed at A-Craft Windows in
Minneapolis, where his customized work is on display. He has visited his family in Vietnam
six times. In 1999 he married.
Tan and his wife await their baby, due in February.
"Without Nord House, trying to survive on
my own would have been like jumping in the lake without knowing how to swim," said
Tan.
Tiffany's story
Tiffany
started drinking at age 12. It helped her "get away for a little bit"
from feeling depressed.
By 13 she was smoking pot, too, which was easy
to get in junior high. Her spotty attendance at AA meetings began at age 14. At 16,
Tiffany was dropped off at school every day by one of her parents, Sandi and Bob. But she
didn't go in. Instead she got high.
"I was messing with some heavy stuff,"
she said. "My life had gone down the
pipes. I had no future, and I didn't care."
After a week of treatment in a locked facility,
Tiffany was accepted at Nord
House for outpatient treatment.
"It's practice for a sober life,"
Tiffany said. "We learn that, as addicts and alcoholics, we don't have control of our
lives. At Nord House we start to see that we have something to contribute to society. You
get accustomed to being in a healthy environment."
Julie Shannon, manager, said "Nord House
gives the girls a chance to rebuild." Chores, rules, group activities and
volunteering create a structure within the small community.
Sandi and Bob are passionate about their
family's experience. It's a privilege to be at Nord House, they say. The staff is caring.
Respectful. Dedicated. Professional.
"When Tiffany had a drug problem, we all had a drug problem," Bob
said.
"Bob and I had some healing to do,
too," said Sandy. "Nord House helped us learn to communicate as a family."
At 17, Tiffany attends a special
"sober" high school. She's looking toward college and a career as an registered
nurse or nurse-midwife.
There's another dimension, too. "Nord House
brought me back to my spiritual life," said Tiffany.
"I want to thank Nord House for putting God
back in Tiffany's life," her mother
concurred.
About Dee and Bill Nord, Tiffany made a point of
stating, "Their generous donation saved my life."
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Nords Reach Out
As LSS board treasurer, Bill Nord knew about
needs in the community.
So in 1993, when the house that he and wife,
Dee, had rented to their daughter and son-in-law became vacant, the Nords chose to donate
it to LSS.
"We didn't dream that it would be called
the Nord House," Bill recalled. "We wanted a low profile. But we've changed our
view. People now approach us who may be interested in giving property of this kind. We
became a resource." Dee believes that most people simply don't know about the needs
that exist.
"We're more aware because of LSS," she
said. "There's no social service organization that we'd rather give to."
For the Nords, giving grows out of a contentment
with their lives, and their faith in Jesus Christ. And the Nords agree that it's exciting
to give. "We hear the personal stories from Nord House," Bill says, "and at
age 75, these stories further our ambition to keep working. We enjoy putting our money to
work for good causes while we're still alive."
Ten years ago, Bill "retired" from a
long career in investments. He since has enjoyed working as an international investment
analyst in developing countries. Dee, a former nurse, assists him in his home office.
They've raised four children and are grandparents to 10, two of whom are adopted.
Dee continues to pour energy into Crisis
Connection, Community Emergency
Services, and Calvary Lutheran Church of Golden Valley, where they are members. Bill
recently completed a five-year term as treasurer of the ELCA Minneapolis Area Synod.
They also travel. And they give.
"The people who manage the Nord House are
doing a great job. LSS has created for us a living memorial. It's exciting to see our
contribution in action."
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COMPANY INVOLVEMENT
Company
integrates the skills of refugees
In a job setting, understanding complex terminology, such as nanometers, polycold systems
and emitter beam guns would be a daunting task for many of us.
Consider what it must be like for new immigrants
with little or no English.
That didn't scare away Nezada Isic from Bosnia,
or the other 40 immigrants who joined Vision-Ease Lens Inc., an eyewear manufacturer,
seven years ago.
LSS matched the immigrants with the Ramsey,
Minn.-based company through its employment program, and it's been a winning situation for
everyone involved.
While the work is complicated, the company hired an English instructor
to teach job basics, terminology in the workplace and on-the-job safety guidelines to
ensure the success of each employee.
"After that, everything came easy!"
Nezada said.
With the exception of only two or three
employees, the original crew of immigrants are still working for the company. Moreover,
Nezada has had four job promotions.
"They're a great asset to us," said
Linda Krekow, a member of the Vision-Ease Human Resources Division. "They're honest,
motivated and skillful, and they are always wanting to learn more. Especially in today's
marketplace with employee shortages, we could not be more pleased."
Ditto, says Nezada. "I'm very happy
here."
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How does a Microsoft
employee make an impact on LSS services?
Ted Olson, a Microsoft business development manager, did it
creatively. Using a
Microsoft employee option, he spent $1,250 to buy $140,000 of software for LSS.
The software includes Microsoft Word, EXCEL, Power Point, and Access, publishing programs
and software to manage programs.
"This is an enormous contribution,"
said Gary Kilgard, LSS Director of Information Technology.
"We're talking about the most current
products. If we didn't have them, we'd
spend more of our limited resources to purchase them. Or it might force us to use
out-of-date tools which would make us less efficient."
Ted and his wife, Chris Bellefeuille, initially
decided to make a contribution through Mount Olivet Lutheran Church of Plymouth, which
they attend with their three children. Through the church, Ted connected with LSS and Gary
Kilgard to determine LSS needs. This most recent in-kind donation is his and his wife's
second to LSS.
"Because I can purchase the software at
cost of goods or less, there's huge leverage if I do this as a product donation," Ted
said. "I'm very passionate about the impact that technology can have on almost any
organization. Our out-of-pocket costs are really just the kernel of this gift. It is
Microsoft's generosity that enables something of this size to happen."
"We are so grateful for people like Ted and
Chris who explored how they can use their own talents and resources for the greater
good," Gary said. "A gift like this allows us to provide more and better
services to help change the lives of needy people for the better - and that's the bottom
line."
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Women
In Philanthropy Conference
21st Century Women Changing Lives
Minneapolis Convention Center
October 20, 2000
Women have tremendous potential to make an
impact in our world. Come and be inspired by prominent local and national speakers,
including Abby Disney, grandniece of Walt Disney. Hear their stories about giving.
Participate in motivational, educational workshops, including:
Inspire A New Generation: Teaching
Philanthropy to Children
Charitable Financial Planning
Wills: The Basic Tool of Planned Giving
Giving Clubs: The Newest Wave in Philanthropy
How Giving Enhances Your Sense of Well-Being
Establishing a Family Foundation
Bring a friend or bring a daughter! It's going
to be another outstanding conference. Register on the web or by calling 800.987.0034 for
more information
Visit our web site … www.lssmn.org
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Your Legacy
Can Be A Gift
Choose to make your legacy a gift of hope. When you include Lutheran Social Service of
Minnesota in your estate planning, you reach out in hope to children and families of
future generations.
More than 100,000 children, adults, and senior citizens benefit from LSS
programs every year. You can share your legacy gift of hope with future generations when
you remember LSS in your will or estate plan.
Friends who plan a future gift to LSS are
recognized as members of its Legacy of Hope Society.
For information on how to include LSS in your
will, or for confidential assistance with other gift planning needs, please call Jeanne
Baumann, Director of Development at 651.969.2284 or jbaumann@lssmn.org
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