News | Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota

July 2023 News

Wednesday

Jul 12

Camp Noah helps children heal following flood disaster in Kentucky

Camp Noah, a program of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, traveled to Kentucky in July to help children heal following a devastating flood last year. Canine companions were on hand to offer support and comfort as well. Watch the story on WYMT-TV Mountain News in Kentucky!

Monday

Jul 10

MPR: What's next for borrowers burdened by student loans?

Millions of Americans are trying to figure out what’s next with their student loan debt, and that includes tens of thousands of Minnesotans. MPR News Host Angela Davis talked with Kim Miller, LSS Financial Counseling, about student loans and first steps to consider as student loan payments resume in October.

June 2023 News

Tuesday

Jun 27

New "tech home" helps people with disabilities to live independently

Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (LSS) has launched a new model of service in Red Wing that provides in-home technology to help people with disabilities live more independently.

Monday

Jun 19

June is Homeownership Month

June is National Home Ownership Month. Buying a home is often the largest financial decision one will make in their lifetime. Listen to the KRJB radio interview with Nichole Szczesniak, housing counseling program director, to hear insights about becoming a homeowner.

Wednesday

Jun 14

State helping to fund prepared meals that nonprofits provide to people in need

The Minnesota Legislature included $3.3 million in the state budget this session to support the distribution of prepared meals to individuals who aren’t able to participate in other state and federal meal programs.

Thursday

Jun 8

Community invited to Juneteenth event in Minneapolis on June 15

Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (LSS) is proud to host its second annual Juneteenth event on Thursday, June 15 from noon to 5 p.m. at the Center for Changing Lives in Minneapolis to recognize the significance of Juneteenth and offer an opportunity to support black-owned businesses. LSS’ Juneteenth event will be held in the parking lot of the Center for Changing Lives at 2400 Park Avenue and will feature more than a dozen black-owned vendors who will be selling savory and sweet selections from their eateries, massage and wellness items, custom crafts, and other goods and services. LSS Human Resource representatives will be available to discuss career opportunities.

Friday

Jun 2

PBS North: Helping youth experiencing homelessness

Dawn Shykes, LSS senior director of children, youth and families in Duluth, appeared on PBS Almanac North on June 2 to share how the work of LSS is making a difference for youth experiencing homelessness and how the community can help.

May 2023 News

Monday

May 22

Job loss and layoffs are scary, but take these steps to stabilize your situation

With news of layoffs at major Minnesota companies recently, the Star Tribune connected with Kim Miller in LSS Financial Counseling to seek guidance for Minnesotans who have experienced a job loss. Read the story.

Thursday

May 4

Bridge funding needed to support mental health

Minnesota state legislators are making final budget and policy decisions around legislation that includes an 8% Community-Based Mental Health Rate Bridge increase in the Health and Human Services omnibus bill to maintain critical access to mental health services. An increase in mental health funding is being sought to address years of operating with reimbursement rates far below the true cost of service and a severe shortage of well-qualified and licensed mental health providers. Mental health service challenges are also compounded with an increase in demand for services and more people seeking services for complex and acute care needs. Bridge funding will provide immediate investment in services until a future rate structure currently under design by the Department of Human Services is established. “Immediate investment in rates for community-based mental health services is critically needed, especially for youth and families,” said Trevor Johnson, senior strategy director for Behavioral Health Services for Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota.

April 2023 News

Wednesday

Apr 19

Tri-County News: Become a Senior Companion volunteer

“I joined the Senior Companion family eight years ago. I love being with older adults and knew this is what I wanted to do after I retired,” shared Deb Doran, a Senior Companion volunteer. LSS Senior Companion volunteers are age 55 and older and visit older adults weekly offering encouragement, sharing their time and talents, assisting with errands, grocery shopping and transportation to appointments to assist older adults in remaining healthy and independent. Read more in the Tri-County News.