The Joy of sharing Advent with LSS-SW
Check out this turnout! For the third week of Advent, Hannah Miller, Director of Community engagement at Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest joined almost 30 of us for soup and bread to tell us about their work here in Arizona, and how members of Faith can support our community in partnership with LSS-SW.
This local non-profit is proud to say that all of their programs have remained stable and continued their ministries throughout the pandemic. Their core programs include the following:
Aging & disability program in southern AZ where they offer in-home care and assistance to the elderly and those living with disabilities. The sheets that you brought in last week go toward this program!
We are all very familiar with the Refugee Program, as we’ve met a lot of wonderful people who are benefitting from this service. Those seeking refuge stateside certainly have a long road ahead of them and behind them, but Case Managers at LSS-SW are there at the airport with a smile to put the weary travelers’ minds at ease, and help them find food, lodging, work, school, English language lessons and so much more.
In a similar capacity, LSS-SW assists asylum seekers, and played a huge role in reunited the families whose children were held in detention centers at the border, separated from their parents and siblings.
Family Resource Centers throughout the valley offer assistance to families with children ages birth to 5 years old. This program easy-to-access ways for parents to apply for benefits, prepare their children for school, and get parenting coaching. The nearest centers to us are at the Christown YMCA, and our sister church, Trinity!
Remember our God’s Work, Our Hands Sunday project, stuffing bags with snacks and sending them off to our neighbors experiencing homelessness? This was done through LSS-SW’s IHELP (Interfaith Homeless Emergency Lodging Program). While this one sounds pretty straightforward, it’s so much more than just emergency lodging. This program offers assistance to our neighbors to apply for housing, social security income, and so much more.
They also have a long history of partnering with other nonprofits with similar missions, like Lutheran Advocacy Ministry of Arizona (LAMA) and Lutheran World Relief.
One question came up last night that I think is on all of our minds: Where does all of this support come from? The answer: Mostly government grants and funds, but also from generous donations from members of the community who see a need that LSS can fill!
Sidenote: the donations made by individuals are great because LSS can apply them wherever they are most needed, unlike government grants, which do generally have specific requirements that beneficiaries of their monies must meet.
At our Joyful soup supper, you contributed a total of $44! If you’re interested in contributing even more, check this out:
Save on your taxes and support Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest!
Your gift to Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest is eligible for a dollar-for-dollar tax credit, up to $400 filing single or $800 if filing a joint return, on your state income taxes while helping those in need – at no additional cost to you.
To learn more and make your gift, visit https://www.lss-sw.org/tax-credit. Call 480-387-5382 with questions or to make a gift over the phone.
Are you a Thrivent member? You can donate your Thrivent Choice Dollars to Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest! Simply visit www.thrivent.com/thriventchoice and log in to your account to designate your Choice Dollars to Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest. Choice Dollars can be designated until March 31st.
Support a Refugee Woman this Christmas! Visit the LSS-SW Refugee Women’s Empowerment Etsy page to purchase items made by refugee women here in Arizona. Browse our selection of cards, accessories, ornaments and more. Quick shipping ensures your gifts will arrive by Christmas! https://www.etsy.com/shop/refugeemade/