A Message From Our President and CEO Rebecca Kiesow-Knudsen
The past year has been a period of change for non-profit organizations across the country, and LSS of South Dakota is no exception. Shifts in funding at the federal, state and local levels have placed additional pressures on organizations like ours to provide essential services.
Moments like these require us to reimagine our work and ask some defining questions about who we are as an organization, questions like:
- Who are we here to serve?
- What do our communities need most from us?
- How do we stay rooted in our mission while remaining responsive to a changing world?
- What would South Dakota look like if the challenges our services address no longer existed?
We listen closely—to those we serve, to our staff, to our partners and to our communities. What remains is a simple but powerful vision that guides our work:
All people in South Dakota will be healthy, safe and accepted.
This bold vision for South Dakota is not just aspirational language meant to live on a wall or in a strategic plan. It is a commitment that shapes decisions, programs and partnerships across LSS.
When we say healthy, we mean the whole person. Health is not only physical well-being; it also includes mental, emotional and spiritual health. It means supporting children and families as they navigate life’s challenges and transitions. It means meeting people where they are and walking alongside them as they build resilience and hope. Our work reflects the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive. Read more here.
Safe speaks to one of the most fundamental human needs. Safety is not just the absence of harm; it is the presence of trust and stability. Whether it’s a young person in foster care, a family experiencing crisis or an individual seeking refuge, LSS is committed to creating environments where people feel protected and supported. Read more here.
And accepted may be the most powerful word in our vision. Acceptance is about dignity and belonging. It is the assurance that every person is valued and worthy of respect. At LSS, acceptance means listening without judgment and honoring the unique experiences of those we serve. Read more here.
More than a century after our founding, the heart of LSS remains the same: serving our neighbors with compassion and purpose. Our vision keeps us focused on what matters most, even as the world continues to change.
As we look ahead, we are grateful for the trust of those we serve, for the dedication of our staff and for the generosity of our supporters and partners.
