With fewer refugee arrivals, Refugee Resettlement organizations like Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota are shifting focus to serving refugees who are already here with increased philanthropic support. Changes are highlighted in a Minnesota Public Radio story. 

Tasha Moulton with The Reach drop-in center, a program of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, was featured on KEYC-TV in Mankato to provide greater awareness about youth homelessness in southern Minnesota and the ways that the community can help.

Nearly half of American adults have diabetes or pre-diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. Complications from diabetes can bring about kidney failure, blindness, stroke and many other serious health issues. Simple lifestyle changes can make a powerful difference for those living with diabetes. To help local citizens address this important health issue, Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (LSS) is partnering with Juniper, a service of Minnesota’s Area Agencies on Aging, to host Living Well with Diabetes in New Ulm.

 Friends in the Kitchen (FIK) will celebrate its one-year anniversary Thursday, August 8.

Over the past 12 months, FIK presenter Evelyn Fowler of Winsted, and assistant Janna Stigen of Cokato have presented 36 recipes, taste-tested by participants.

Friends in the Kitchen is a free program offered by Lutheran Social Services to anyone age 55 and older. There is no fee to attend.

Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota is seeking volunteers to help meet an increasing need to provide respite to caregivers. As the population of older Minnesotans grows, so does interest in this service.

This service offers an opportunity for caring individuals to share their skills, meet new people and make a direct difference in people’s lives.

Elaina Johannessen, a program director with Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota Financial Counseling, offered her expertise on raising and maintaining credit scores. 

Both FICO and VantageScore, the two major credit scoring companies, put the most importance on timely payments. A payment that is 30 or more days late can damage your score immediately, causing it to drop by as much as 100 points. You may also be socked with a late fee by your lender or credit card issuer.

Housing advocates and officials across the metro are boosting efforts to raise awareness of the need for Section 8 housing, including attempts to recruit more landlords who will accept the vouchers. 

“When occupancy rates are as high as they are right now, owners don’t feel as obligated to rent to somebody that has some type of rental subsidy,” said St. Louis Park housing supervisor Michele Schnitker, so the city has had to find ways to partner with landlords. “We’ve been successful in that.”

More than 20,000 people are eligible for the annual Cares Awards from the Association of Residential Resources of Minnesota, and less than 100 are nominated.

This year, one of those nominated works right here in Bemidji.

Carrie Melbie planned to represent herself Monday morning when she showed up at the Olmsted County courthouse with an eviction notice.

Instead, she met Brian Lipford, an attorney with Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, who helped represent her regarding an eviction claim by her landlord.