Skip to main content

LSS & Multi-Cultural Center Consider Aligning Efforts

LSS of South Dakota and the Multi-Cultural Center of Sioux Falls (MCC) have signed a Letter of Intent to merge the MCC into LSS. This announcement comes after a 60-day exploration process by the leadership of both organizations.

LSS and the MCC both serve diverse communities of Sioux Falls with complementing services, and leadership from both organizations believe that aligning efforts will result in better outcomes for those they serve. Removing the duplication of administrative functions creates an operational efficiency and a programming synergy to better respond to client and community needs.

Vision and Mission

The MCC and LSS have a similar mission and vision for our community. Integrating the MCC into LSS aligns well with the LSS vision statement that ‘All South Dakotans will be healthy, safe and accepted.” Together, we are committed to making Sioux Falls and South Dakota a welcoming community for individuals and families of all backgrounds.

Organizational Strengths

For more than 100 years, LSS has been transforming the lives of individuals of all ages, families of all kinds and communities of all sizes across the state. LSS impacts the lives of thousands of people each year through a variety of services including Behavioral Health, Center for Financial Resources, Adoption and Pregnancy Counseling, Foster Care, Residential Services for Children and Youth, Childcare and Education, and Mentoring among others. LSS is committed to being responsive to the changing needs within our communities.

The work done through the LSS Center for New Americans has developed solid relationships with several ethnic communities and provides robust support for many who are settling in our community.

LSS also brings strong administrative services to provide operational efficiencies including human resources, information technology, accounting, grant writing, fundraising and executive leadership. This solid administrative support offers long-term functionality and stability to the MCC.

For 25 years, the Multi-Cultural Center has served various immigrant populations and worked with Native American populations to educate and celebrate cultural diversity within the Sioux Falls community. Its partnerships with the City of Sioux Falls and Minnehaha County, and its focus on community engagement, offer opportunities for building on the community’s interests around cultural diversity. Events like the Festival of Cultures will continue to bring people together in education and celebration.

Next Step

In the next 90 days, LSS and MCC will continue to work through details of the MCC organization merging into the LSS organization. Details on services, facilities and personnel will be determined through this process. Each board will make decisions regarding the merger by the end of September.