Changing Lives Today
Written by Dana Goeman, Financial Counselor and Educator October is full of the stereotypical scary things—goblins, ghouls, and the like. You know what scary thing you don’t hear as much about, though? Debt. When we hear that interest rates are rising we often think about mortgages or car loans, but credit card interest is also […]
You often get a glimpse of life stories from the people we serve—a quote, a few paragraphs, rarely a full story of their challenges and successes. Joe’s life story answers why our vision is that all people in South Dakota will be healthy, safe and accepted.
At LSS, we connect people with the resources to help them be their best selves. That means we work with community partners to help meet client needs and ensure our whole person family-centered approach is carried out successfully.
We are excited about the collaboration between Leadership Aberdeen and LSS to bring mentoring into the Aberdeen School District.
We listen to individuals and families about their strengths, challenges and what they need to succeed.
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.'” -Fred “Mr.” Rogers Every year we ask LSS employees why they choose to stay with the organization. Every year one of the top […]
Over time, families grow and change, and encounter new and complex challenges. At LSS, these families find strength as they learn to communicate and work through obstacles, each member receiving the support they need to be healthy, safe and accepted.
Andrea came to the United States to escape violence and corruption. Now, as a mother of four, she works hard to provide for her children. She sacrifices her own comfort to see them succeed because education is so important to her. Andrea never imagined her children would get into serious trouble, so when she received a call that her oldest daughter had been picked up by law enforcement and brought to the Arise Reception Center, she felt devastated.
Healthy families celebrate their blessings and support one another during life’s challenges. That’s why LSS is dedicated to providing services to families to make sure everyone is healthy, safe and accepted.
For Beth and Scott Boyens, starting their family took a long time. They spent seven years trying before their oldest child, Anna, entered the world. And when the couple encountered even more difficulty trying for their second, they went looking for medical help.
Thousands of people recently gathered to celebrate the 2023 Festival of Cultures—some local community members and others from abroad. Although this was the 26th annual event, it was the first year following the integration of the Multi-Cultural Center into LSS. The partnership between LSS and the Levitt honored the tradition of the festival while elevating […]
June 19 is Freedom Day Today we recognize Juneteenth – Freedom Day. Juneteenth commemorates the final emancipation of enslaved African Americans after the Civil War. At LSS we have made a commitment to work toward racial equity: “LSS acknowledges racial and ethnic differences because of the profound impact they have on individuals, groups, communities and […]
June 20, 2023 is World Refugee Day. Join LSS for a free panel conversation at the Coliseum (515 North Main Avenue) from noon to 1 pm to learn more about the refugee resettlement process and resettlement in South Dakota. Hear directly from former refugees about their experiences. The event will include a panel moderated by […]
Written by Dana Goeman, Financial Counselor and Educator In case you haven’t heard, June is National Homeownership Month! If you’re like me and you’re currently renting but oh-so-excited to someday sign on the dotted line and get the keys to your own home, it can be tempting to jump into being a homeowner when […]
Celebrate the various cultural communities in Sioux Falls at the 26th Annual Festival of Cultures on Saturday, June 10 at Levitt at the Falls. WHOMembers and visitors of the Sioux Falls area are invited to celebrate the cultural diversity in our community. The Festival of Cultures is a FREE and family-friendly event. WHATEnjoy live music, […]
Celebrate the various cultural communities in Sioux Falls at the 26th Annual Festival of Cultures on Saturday, June 10. LSS Multi-Cultural Center is excited to partner with Levitt at the Falls to provide a centralized space for people to learn, celebrate and share. “Experiencing the different cultures in our community is an important opportunity that […]
Anyone who has been in debt knows the weight it puts on all areas of life. As loans continue to grow, so does the pressure to pay them off. Feelings of guilt rise up with every small purchase. It seems impossible to catch up.
But even when facing the most massive financial burdens, the LSS Center for Financial Resources provides options and a place to start — using measurable goals to help people sort out their finances, ensuring they are healthy, safe and accepted.
Written by Dana Goeman, Financial Counselor and Educator You stroll down the driveway, open up the mailbox and – Alright, sweet! Another wedding invitation! It’s wedding season, folks! Even if you yourself aren’t tying the knot this summer, there’s a good chance you may be invited to a wedding or two. Maybe you’re even […]
A birth mother never gave up trying to make the right plan. She never gave up allowing herself to love. She never gave up trusting. She never gave up believing. She never gave up having hope for the future. She never gave up.
In the early morning hours of March 2, twenty-seven students, four teachers, one caseworker and three volunteers ventured out of Sioux Falls towards Pierre. The students were eager to see the state capital, meet with representatives and witness democracy in action. The students first saw the state capitol building. Several marveled at the beautiful frescos […]
Benjamin Franklin once said, “In this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.” While much has changed since Ben Franklin’s time (and thank goodness, can you imagine life with no air conditioning or microwave ovens?), one thing has stuck around—taxes. Paying taxes can be stressful, but with a little bit of planning ahead, tax […]
This April, we honor the history, tradition and vision of LSS through South Dakota CARES, a statewide week of giving featuring program site tours, online giving challenges and social celebrations! Join us and be part of our vision by making a donation during our biggest fundraising event of the year! Go to SouthDakotaCARES.org to learn […]
LSS Adoption Services and Pregnancy Counseling Services At age 17, a young woman found herself in a very difficult situation. She was pregnant. As overwhelming as the news was, she was excited and dreamt of her family, their future together and all of the possibilities yet to come. Unfortunately, life had a different plan in […]
LSS Center for New Americans & Multi-Cultural Center In October 2022, LSS began integrating the Multi-Cultural Center of Sioux Falls (MCC) services with goals of strengthening and optimizing their services. The strong overlap of resources has created great synergy between both organizations. Both LSS Center for New Americans and the MCC have a unified mission […]
LSS Behavioral Health Services Amber fled an abusive marriage and used the LSS sliding fee scale to receive counseling services for herself and her son. “You helped us to get the counseling that we needed. To give my son a fighting chance to be a good man. So, thank you!” Amber married in her early […]
LSS Foster Care Services After many years of struggling to start their family, Hannah and her husband turned to LSS. In the fall of 2016, they were officially licensed as a foster family and adoptive resource. “We are thankful we chose to do this journey with LSS,” says Hannah. “We have been blessed to work […]
Anyone who has been in debt knows the weight it puts on all areas of life. As loans continue to grow, so does the pressure to pay them off. Feelings of guilt rise up with every small purchase. It seems impossible to catch up.
But even when facing the most massive financial burdens, the LSS Center for Financial Resources provides options and a place to start — using measurable goals to help people sort out their finances, ensuring they are healthy, safe and accepted.
Come visit us at LSS April 10 – 14. Meet staff and clients, and hear about how your dollars make an impact. Limited spots are available. Click on the button, call 605-444-7520, or email info@LssSD.org to register. Tuesday, April 11LSS Center for Children & Youth | Sioux FallsSummit Oaks Center, Arise Youth Center & Foster […]
LSS Professional Development The number one priority at LSS is responding to the ever-changing needs of South Dakota communities. Your support enables LSS to continue strengthening its commitment to providing the highest quality of care and services to clients seeking support. The Cutting Edge Care Fund provides broadened opportunities for specialized training to meet the […]
In the spring of 1921, an open house and donation day marked the opening of the House of Mercy, the first service offered at LSS for young women experiencing unintended pregnancies. The next day the House of Mercy welcomed its first applicants for admission—an elderly woman and a seven-year-old girl who needed a home. While […]
If you’re looking for advice or guidance, a mentor can be someone you can turn to for that support. Now one local organization needs your help making sure that help is available to those who may need it most.
At LSS we offer support and help individuals find the confidence to make the best plan for themselves and their babies.
The holiday season comes with notions of joy and hope. People encourage one another to be merry, to give gifts and to spend time with loved ones. Despite having good intentions, many South Dakotans find these sentiments out of reach.
“People are stressed over the holidays,” said Rachel Shepherd, director of LSS Behavioral Health Services. “It’s often their saddest time.”
LSS has been putting on free classes to help prospective homebuyers. Rod Lipka, with LSS, joined Dakota News Now on Wednesday morning. Check it out!
Life can be challenging, and it’s easy for families to get overwhelmed when chaos surrounds them. Often, it can be difficult to just approach a situation, let alone solve a problem or make the necessary changes. That’s why LSS CARES Wraparound Services was created. CARES Wraparound is an early-intervention service that coordinates care based on […]
Life can be challenging, and it’s easy for families to get overwhelmed when chaos surrounds them. Often, it can be difficult to just approach a situation, let alone solve a problem or make the necessary changes. That’s why LSS CARES Wraparound Services was created. Read more about how the program helped one local family.
