Geraldo Rivera from NBC News will highlight Rock Sober
in an upcoming special news report in late April
on the national problem of kids and drug use.
On Wednesdays, teens meet at the E-otherwise
known as the Eclectic Café in Brainerd-where there are no temptations to use drugs, and
kids can talk with others who have been through life situations like their own.
Sixteen-year-old Candy Henry is a regular at the
E. Candy was raised by two alcoholic parents, and had bounced in and out of shelters and
foster placements as a child. She grew up with no rules, only anger and sadness. "I
didn't like anybody, and I didn't want to be anywhere," she said.
Seeing the misery that alcohol caused, she vowed
to stay away from that drug, but took up marijuana instead, getting high every day. Her
worst experience occurred when she got high at a party in Brainerd and woke up the next
morning in the Twin Cities, not knowing how she had gotten there.
That was enough of a nudge to check out Rock
Sober. "After you become clean, you need to provide a tangible alternative to the
party scene," explained Pat Sharbonda, Rock Sober co-founder. "We try to create
a fun atmosphere by promoting music, painting and writing."
In January, Candy reached a milestone in her life by achieving one year of sobriety.
"I'm happy with my life now," Candy says.
Her foster parent, Kim Hanson, also became her
legal parent. "I love her like my own children," Kim said. "She was really
difficult, but she finally found people in her life who she could trust and depend on. Her
life experience has shown me that if she can turn her life around, anyone can."
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Message
from the President
Dear Friends,
"Give a man a fish and you feed him for
a day.
Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime."
This ancient Chinese proverb describes the
practical, day-to-day principle that lies behind the work in every one of the services LSS
provides. And it extends to every single person whom LSS serves across our state each day.
In each of our lines of service, we strive to
teach people new skills and help them develop new habits that will allow them to become
more self-sufficient-and have greater control over their destiny-regardless of their
situation. We approach social service from this perspective because it helps people
establish a sense of personal dignity that each of us craves and cherishes. Without that
sense of personal dignity, it's hard to view ourselves as children of God.
You will meet some heroic people in this issue
of Response. There are kids who have had harrowing childhoods, where they received little
or no life direction from their parents. But in our many services across Minnesota, they
learn and grow into adulthood with the tools to be healthy and self-reliant.
There are refugees who were forced to flee
hostile environments in their homelands. Within months of arriving in Minnesota, they
found employment and a vision for their tomorrow that they are fulfilling. We've learned
that "Welfare to Work" doesn't just happen; it requires dedicated coaching and
mentoring to be successful. With assistance from LSS, the disabling welfare cycle is
broken for hundreds of families in our care, and is replaced by employment, civic
contribution and the personal dignity that goes with independence.
The same phenomenon emerges as persons with
developmental disabilities are given greater opportunities to make decisions and provide
for some of their own care. The real service to these individuals has been to help them
determine their own sense of community and self-worth.
In each of the people we serve, we see the face
of God. Your support of this work makes you an important partner in expressing the love of
Christ to all people. You help us teach people to fish. What an awesome gift to give.
Sincerely,
Mark Peterson
CEO/President
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Come-back kids
Marlene Patino is a confident, articulate high school senior who is quick
with a smile. She studies hard, is active in drama, and has worked part-time to save money
for a car.
At first glance, she seems like an example of a
typical young person raised in a structured, nurturing family. Except, that is not at all
how she grew up.
Her father was an alcoholic and her mother left
the family to live in another state when Marlene was young. As a child, Marlene cooked
meals for siblings and had to learn how to survive with little supervision. At age 15
Marlene became a parent, and joined the teen moms' group at LSS in Willmar.
That group became her lifeline.
She gained new confidence by learning about
important life skills such as first aid, parenting, checkbook management, and bargain
hunting. "I have learned so much that my parents never taught me," Marlene said.
"Now, I am a much stronger person."
For the first time, she also wrote down some of
her life goals. They include graduating from high school this spring and exploring a
career in nursing or mechanics.
With troubles at home, Marlene recently moved
out and now lives with her two-year-old daughter, Justine, in an apartment that LSS helped
her find. She dismisses the small concerns her peers worry about-clothes, friends, and the
latest hairstyle. More important to her is doing well in school and having time with
Justine for reading and games, things she missed out on as a child.
University of Minnesota studies show that
children can bounce back from painful childhood experiences when they have support from at
least one caring adult or a support network that offers encouragement and insight about
important life lessons.
Marlene is one of those come-back kids.
When it comes to the weekly teen moms' group at
LSS, she puts everything else on hold. "I think of them as my second family. They
helped me through everything. I don't know where I would be right now without this
group."
With solid direction now, she knows in her heart
that she will succeed in life.
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Making transitions to
independence
Quick Facts
Of 609 persons on welfare with whom LSS
Employment Counselors have worked since 1998 in Hennepin County, 155 no longer receive
cash assistance.
Refugee and Welfare Programs work with over
135 Twin Cities employers to help people find jobs.
At any given time, LSS Senior Companion
volunteers are helping some 550 seniors stay in their homes, avoiding costly nursing home
care estimated at $35,000 a year for an elderly Minnesotan.
In Duluth, LSS Street Outreach counselors are
working closely with 40 young teens who need safe housing or other immediate assistance.
LSS Transitional Housing helps nearly 200
homeless mothers and children gain permanent housing and independence each year.
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Wheels to freedom
Metallic blue flags whip behind the three-wheel bicycle that Scott Prellwitz
pedals through the streets of Willmar. He cherishes the bike, a special order from
Schwinn, that carries him to work, church and to meet with friends. It also frees him from
the uncertain gait that is the result of cerebral palsy; a walk that the unfamiliar
sometimes attribute to drunkenness. The three-wheeler symbolizes all that Scott has
achieved in his 35 years.
Photo: Scott completed a vocational
cooking course, and treats his friends to creations such as egg fajitas and snicker-apple
salad.
After spending some of his childhood in
institutionalized settings, Scott was determined to seek independence. He left a sheltered
workshop and supports himself with jobs at Burger King and Stacey's Nursery. He lives in
his own apartment, enjoys fishing in Willmar Lake, and birdwatching at the feeders he
stocks. Scott is also involved with People's First, an advocacy organization for persons
with disabilities, and participates in a long-term support group. LSS' Paula Dolby is also
there to foster his integration into the Willmar community. The program counselor for
Semi-Independent Living Services devotes four hours weekly to helping Scott with tasks
such as reconciling his financial records and completing eligibility paperwork for other
government programs.
"I might have some problems without
Paula," said Scott. "She helps me learn things that I don't know about."
Whether he is planting and tending the flowers
outside LSS' office in downtown Willmar, or planning for his annual vacation, Scott
Prellwitz enjoys it all with a positive attitude that refuses to be defined by the
disability he lives with. "Life," he says, "is going well!"
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Determined to
succeed
Sheer tenacity and drive best describe husband
and wife Cisse Mboup and Miamouna Diallo, refugees who fled imprisonment, torture and
execution in Guinea. This determination propelled Mrs. Diallo back into the classroom at
the Minnesota School of Business only three days after giving birth to her daughter last
year, and continues to sustain the couple's dreams of resuming their teaching and pharmacy
careers in this country.
Their challenges were daunting: learn a new
language and culture while finding employment, transportation and child care for their son
and daughter. The refugee family hurtled these barriers with just over one year of welfare
assistance, and is now self-sufficient and working to achieve personal goals.
LSS and the Minnesota Family Investment Program,
MFIP, provided the child care and training resources that assisted the family's remarkable
progress toward independence. Mrs. Diallo completed a certificate at the Minnesota School
of Business and works full time as an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher's aide,
while Mr. Mboup drives a school bus. He also takes evening ESL courses at the University
of Minnesota in pursuit of a pharmacy degree. They have purchased a used car, and are
investigating the possibility of buying a house. LSS MFIP Program Manager Kim Pham says
their zeal is typical of many refugees who want to grasp the American dream.
"Now it is very important to us to thank
the people who give to your program," explained Mrs. Diallo. "They really helped
us, and their good hearts mean that we may do better and some day help others."
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A
winning combination for seniors
For almost 80 years, Anna Sendesky has lived in the same south Minneapolis
home where the sun brightens her living room each morning and the flowers blossom in
vibrant colors in her garden.
Now 93, Anna loves her home and wants to live
out her remaining years there. But she needs some assistance. Her youngest sister
Lorraine, who lives downstairs, makes sure Anna has nutritious meals, a tidy living space
and her daily medications.
Ann Bucker, an LSS Senior Companion, is another
important person in Anna's life. Each week, Ann spends an afternoon with her elderly
friend so that Lorraine can enjoy a lunch out with friends or run errands.
"Anna really looks forward to her visits
and, sometimes, I just need a break," Lorraine said.
It's a winning situation for everyone.
"When I moved into a senior apartment
complex, I made up my mind that I was going to find something to do and be as independent
for as long as possible," explained Ann, who is in her 70s. "So, being a Senior
Companion keeps me active and healthy, too!"
Annually, LSS Senior Companions help some 550
seniors avoid costly nursing home care, estimated at $35,000 a year for an elderly
Minnesotan.
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Giving
the gift of self-reliance
John A. Healy III makes giving look easy. He shares what he enjoys, whether
it's time with his son, house hunting with immigrants or scouting new LSS properties.
Sitting with son, Peter, 35, John's attentive
and proud. "I'm just blessed," he says, referring to Peter and his other
children.
At 22, Peter moved to LSS Residence I in
Shoreview for developmentally delayed adults. He spends weekdays at a work site,
reconditioning airplane earphones. Part of his wages are applied to living expenses. He
enjoys games, bike rides, walks and outings arranged by the staff at Residence I, which is
home to Peter and his seven housemates.
Peter first came to LSS as a child, when he
lived at Vasa Home for Children in Red Wing. John became involved as a volunteer. He gave
motorcycle rides to the children and teens there. As a pilot, he gave airplane rides to
the children and staff, too.
Beyond his special outreach to children and
adults with developmental disabilities, John also has a heart for immigrant families who
have experienced hardships most people cannot even imagine. He uses his real estate
background to help out.
"It's hard to get financing," he says,
"when you've only been in the country for three or four years. And many immigrant
families deal mainly in cash, not credit, so we use things like car insurance or an NSP
bill to establish credit. You need a creative mortgage company; every case is different.
And I'll help where help is needed."
Why does he go the extra mile? "Owning your
own home is part of the American dream, and it's rewarding to be part of that, especially
for a family that has been through a lot. I also genuinely appreciate immigrant families.
They are enterprising people."
Another real estate-related activity is John's
work with LSS properties. A few years ago, he began keeping his eyes open for potential
residences. "It's nice to participate in the decisions," he says. The houses
that he finds are the ones he earmarks for personal donations such as furnishings or new
lawn equipment. "And this house, too," he says, seated next to Peter in
Residence I.
A tradesman and contractor by vocation, John had
always wanted to go to college. His dyslexia held him back until he reached his 40s when
he got the encouragement he needed from a counselor who understood because her two sons
were dyslexic. John mastered reading. In 1988, at age 56, he was graduated from college.
"All my life, I've seen that if you reach
out, someone will help you," he says. "So I figured I should be there if someone
reaches out to me. I can't switch places with Peter," he says of his son. "But I
do want to help him and other people overcome their situations."
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Gloria Dei Lutheran in Duluth - A Pastors Letter
"I came so that they might have life
and have it abundantly."
John 10:10
It was a freezing December day when our church,
Gloria Dei Lutheran in Duluth, became more intimately aware of our community's homeless
youth.
That afternoon, I stuck my head into the LSS
Street Outreach Offices housed at our church and learned that the staff were worried about
three kids-a pregnant, sick girl, and two teenaged boys. The boys were living in an
abandoned house and getting up in the middle of the night to run in place to restore
circulation in bluing fingers and toes. I listened and, almost without thinking, blurted
out, "No kid in Duluth is going to be treated worse than my dog. We'll open up the
church if we have to. Stray cats and dogs can find a warm place, food, and even veterinary
care at the animal shelter!"
Two hours later we were looking in the faces of
three homeless kids. It soon became apparent to us that one night at Gloria Dei,
especially for the young woman, wasn't going to cut it.
I called a member who agreed to pay for motel
lodging. Just after midnight we got the kids settled in. The LSS outreach counselor worked
overtime monitoring the kids every few hours. In this instance, there was only good news.
Within days, each one of the youth received help.
However, we learned in a very concrete way that
we have a homeless youth problem in our town. We thank God for people like the church
member and motel owner who acted. We must continue to find ways to ensure that every child
in our community has safe shelter and care.
John Sippola, Pastor
Gloria Dei Lutheran, Duluth
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A teacher's legacy
At 93, Christine Paulson cares about children. A
math teacher for 40-plus years, she has continued her commitment to kids through a
charitable gift annuity, outright financial gifts and other support to LSS.
Her faith fuels her generosity.
"I feel so close to my Lord," says
Christine, a member of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd. "He helps me all the
time."
On the North Dakota farm where she was born, her
parents modeled generosity. Though frugal, they were always quick to help others.
"It was a wonderful way to live,"
Christine recalls.
Her love of children led to a lifetime of
involvement: raising her own "two wonderful daughters" and instructing children
in Sunday school as well as the classroom.
Good role models and self-sufficient youth go hand-in-hand, she believes. She once
arranged for a class "troublemaker" to spend a summer on the farm working with
her brother. The boy blossomed.
Similarly, LSS programs "set a good
example," she said. "I like everything they do, but I particularly like them
when they help youngsters get off the street. LSS hangs on to them. They support them.
Education is very important."
She gives to LSS through a charitable gift
annuity, she says, because LSS invests the money, guarantees her an annual income, and
"the balance will go directly to the organization that's doing all this charitable
work. I feel so good."
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Expressions of
Caring
Tribute Gifts
These people have been honored by loving friends or relatives on the occasion of a
special time in their lives.
In Honor of
Paul and Marge Aureluis
David Clark, on his birthday
Alice and Richard Dahle's 50th wedding anniversary
Lon and Paula Enerson's wedding
Marie Fretheim's birthday
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Gilbertson's wedding anniversary
David Hitchins
George Hoyum's 50th birthday
Leslee Hoyum's 50th birthday
Daniel and Katie Janke
Trenton Lee Lund, on the occasion of his baptism
The children of Harold and Marrida Myron
Craig Ulleland, on his birthday
Leora Wetzler
Rev. Palmer and Ruth Wold
Moscow Lutheran Church, Austin
Oakland Lutheran Church, Albert Lea
Memorials
Loving gifts in memory of the following people will help LSS serve others.
Norma Anderson
Luella Armitage
Patricia Bergeson
Kenneth Bohnsack
Edward L. Brink
Richard Costello
Jean Fechtelkotter
Forest Fountain
Clifford Fox
Vern Fredeen
David Gaines
Julius Glaesman
Helen Haack
Pastor S. O. Hilde
Leslie Holtan
Madeline Jagoe
Sharon Janson
Agnes B. Johnson
Lucille Johnson
Margery Johnson
Richard Johnson
Louise Jungling
Alice Klutz
Don Kuhn
Erna Larson
Vivian Landsom
Marion Leadholm
Larry Leifer
Gilbert Lindemann
Eldora Lunde
Marvin Luudeen
Alice Maurer
Scott McAdams
Mavis Mullen
Muriel Nesheim
Arnt Nysetvold
Betty Nusbaum
Deflof Olsen
Sara Palmer
Marvel Paulson
Rev. Chris Preus
Wallace Quickstad
Florence Rosenau
Elizabeth Schmidt
Doris Sigurdson
Jim Sims
Charles Solheim
Pearl Stubstad
Rev. Carl Sunwall
Peggy Svendsen
Julian Thompson
Denise Triplett
Howard Wagner
Russ Wenkstern
Annaus Weseman
Estate Gifts
These dear friends, who recently went to their eternal rest with Christ, remembered
LSS in their estate planning. Please join us in remembering them in our prayers.
Norma Kouba
Marion Leadholm
Florence C. Petersen
Warren E. Schulze
Margaret H. Skoglund
These Tribute, Memorial and Estate gifts are
for the period October 19, 1999 through March 1, 2000.
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Help
others establish independence
Check out some of the ways you can help someone become or remain independent:
Twin Cities
Minneapolis: Help families in a
housing crisis get on their feet with new twin beds and sleeper sofas, dressers,
furniture, household supplies, paint. Contact Dawn Horgan: 612.879.5358
Golden Valley: Support kids who
are trying to stay drug free through LSS housing/counseling support. Kids need books,
games, educational materials, quilts, new microwave oven, yard rakes, and handyman
support. Contact Julie Shannon: 612.797.5224
Northern Minnesota
Bemidji: Group Homes for
persons with developmental disabilities need new twin beds and living room furniture,
kitchen and household items, games, computers, computer games. Contact Barb Stensland:
218.751.1305
Duluth: LSS Street Outreach
workers help homeless teens with sleeping bags, first aid supplies (aspirin/cold
medicines, band-aids); hygiene items (toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs, Q-tips, travel-size
deodorant); and clothing (underwear and socks). Contact Keith Hauswirth: 218.723.8052
Southern Minnesota
Red Wing: Crisis Nursery serves
families who need diapers, formula, children's medicine, clothing and toys (ages 0-12),
cribs, bed sheets, blankets, shampoo, high chairs, children's books and videos, household
cleaners, stuffed animals, diaper bags, baby bottles. Contact Kristin Lendway:
651.385.9244
St. Cloud: LSS counselors need
compact televisions with built-in videos for in-home parent training for at-risk families.
Contact Theresa Grugel: 320.251.7700
Willmar: Teen moms on their own
need new beds and furniture, kitchen and household items, money for groceries. Contact Liz
Christenson: 320.235.5411
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Mark Your Calendar
Saturday, April 29
Women In Philanthropy Workshop, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Bemidji State University
Info: 1.800.987.0034
Tuesday May 16
Women In Philanthropy Workshop, 7-9 p.m.
Bethlehem Lutheran Church, St. Cloud
Info: 1.800.987.0034
Saturday, August 5
Pontoon Golf Tournament
Camp Knutson
Crosslake, Minn.
Info: 651.969.2316
Saturday, August 12
Camp Knutson Quilt Auction
Noon-4 p.m.
Crosslake, Minn.
(Let us know if you would like to donate
a new, hand-sewn quilt for the auction!)
Info: 651.969.2284
Monday, August 14
SafeHouse Open
Benefit for Homeless Kids
Edinburgh USA, Brooklyn Park
Featured Golf Pro: Olin Browne
Morning/Afternoon Tournaments
Churches encouraged to form foursomes!
Info: 651.969.2279
New!
On-line counseling for bad credit or
debt
LSS financial counselors answer questions about money management on the community
page at www.startribune.com/talk
Giving is now made easy through our on-line donations page
Let us know
what else you would like to see on our web site.
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Provide…a legacy for you and a future for them
Do you want to help a homeless teen on our city streets find safe shelter and
care? Or ensure that a young single mom learns skills for raising her children well?
Children in troubled families need people who
will invest in them. Will you be one of those people? There are so many ways to make an
investment that will benefit you and help a child at the same time. Consider the benefits
of a Charitable Gift Annuity:
You receive a guaranteed income for life
There may be income tax benefits for making
the gift
You can make an impact on one or more of your
favorite charities by naming them as beneficiaries
An LSS Development Associate can help you
explore the best ways to blend your own personal needs with your philanthropic wishes. For
more information, contact the LSS Development Office at 651.969.2284 or 1.800.987.0034.
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