Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (LSS) has recognized six Minnesota congregations with the 2024 Servant of Christ Award. The Servant of Christ Award honors congregations that are leaders in social ministry outreach or have contributed to addressing special needs in their community in extraordinary ways. The award is extended to one or more congregations in each of the six Minnesota synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.  

Gabe Morcomb, with Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, appeared on WCCO Radio to talk about the new LSS Early Learning Center that will open in East St. Paul in September. “This is not your average preschool or childcare center," she said. "We will offer special support for children who come from homes where there is stress.

Did you know that the average American carries $8,000 in credit card debt? While credit card debt may seem insurmountable, there's an effective way to pay it all off and spend significantly less on the interest -- through a Debt Management Plan. Shannon Doyle with LSS Financial Counseling appeared on KSTP TV's Money Minute to share how it works.

Denise Rude hears people say they could never be a foster parent because they’d get too attached. To her, getting attached for however long a child needs a safe home is what foster parenting is all about. Attachment gives children the stability and care they need. “Every child coming into our home very much is a part of our large extended family,” said Denise, who provides foster care with husband, Ian, in Madison Lake. The Rudes have been fostering through Lutheran Social Service for about 2½ years.

Hugo resident Zoua Vue has been a foster parent for a little over three years. During that time, she has fostered five children ages 5 to 14. She is currently fostering to adopt three siblings, ages 7, 9 and 10.  She says her 16 years of teaching for St. Paul Public Schools inspired her to become a foster parent. “I’ve had quite a few students that were in foster care. That really inspired me to take some action and be a part of it,” she said.

Foster Care parents are needed in our communities every day. Candy Picka, Lutheran Social Service of MN’s statewide program manager for Therapeutic Foster Care joined Lisa Kaye at KTOE Mankato Radio for a great discussion on foster care. Ian and Denise Rude, LSS foster parents, shared their journey as well. Check it out! 

Heidi Wiste, president of Children’s Home Society of Minnesota--a partner with Lutheran Soicial Service of Minnesota in adoption--shared trends in international adoption in a WCCO TV report about a South Minneapolis couple’s adoption journey.  

In 2023 on any given day, 6,150 children and youth experienced out-of-home care, according to the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Children’s Home Society and Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota are affiliated organizations seeking foster parents to partner with them in caring for children and youth in need.

The number of adults providing care for a relative or non-related child has been rising in recent years due to a number of reasons, including substance abuse issues, mental health concerns, incarceration, and financial instability. WCCO Radio shared a report on this trend and highlighted resources available to support families through LSS Kinship Family Support Services.