Category Archives: Testimony

JOANN Stores Donates 700 Yards of Fabric to LSF’s Stitching for Service Project

Lutheran Services Florida, a statewide nonprofit, dedicated to helping families in crisis has found a solution to the barriers of attaining masks for front line staff by creating Stitching for Service: A Project to Address the Mask Shortage.  
Our organization has nearly 1,200 essential workers and getting masks has been a struggle. We put together a Mask Force and created a project pulling together 25 sewers within LSF who are committed to sewing masks. JOANN Stores partnered with us by donating 700 yards of fabric to get our group started.

Sarasota veteran gets a surprise of a lifetime

Today is moving day for Jay, a Vietnam Veteran born and raised in Sarasota suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). LSF Adult Advocacy Services has handled Jay’s finances for nearly 20 years. He was living in deplorable conditions for some time, but wouldn’t move because of anxiety and triggers from his PTSD. He is also legally bllind and did not want to leave his current trailer park because it is familiar to him with his limited eye sight.

LSF employees Tammy and Renee wouldn’t give up on Jay. The two women found a newer, cleaner mobile home in the same park then got busy finding local donors, nonprofits and businesses to make this Jay’s very own home.

LSF Palm Beach Head Start Parent Meets with Tallahassee Legislators

“Thanks to LSF Head Start, I am happy and proud to say that in a few months I will be graduating with my AA and I will have the opportunity to enter the Nursing program this year,” said Tamar Belizaire, Head Start Parent from LSF Palm Beach Head Start.

Grace Place Teen Blossoms

We want to encourage our supporters with the knowledge that you are making a difference. Consider the words below from Yzabelle, a 16-year-old foster teen, about her time living at LSF Grace Place—our newest program in Palm Beach County that exists to help at-risk youth thrive. Her years have been fraught with challenges, abuse and

Human Trafficking Awareness Month

January is Human trafficking awareness month, shining light on an issue impacting some of the most vulnerable communities in our nation and state.  According to the Human trafficking Hotline, Florida ranks third in U.S. in human trafficking cases reported. LSF’s Trafficking Victim Assistance Program works with trafficking victims to help them rebuild their life and get a new start, like was the case for J.M. – a survivor of human trafficking here in Florida who we first met three years ago.

On this Parent’s Day

Parent’s Day is celebrated on the 4th Sunday of July. It’s a day that commemorates parenthood and appreciates all parents.

On this special day, we want to celebrate those who chose to open their hearts to some of the most vulnerable children within our communities– foster parents.

LSF Health Systems Developing a New Weapon to Combat Florida’s Opioid Epidemic

A powerful new weapon is emerging in the fight against the opioid epidemic in Florida. It’s not a new overdose antidote, treatment therapy or zero tolerance law. It’s people who have experienced drug addiction or mental illness now trained and certified to help others recover, and it's a game-changing movement for those on the frontlines

This Easter, Help Build Vibrant Communities.

Imagine never experiencing Christmas or Easter. No family gatherings, church services, or holiday traditions. No opportunity to experience the love and awe that surrounds the most significant days of the life of Christ. Instead, these holidays are exactly the same as every other day – filled with worries about the future and the challenge of meeting basic necessities.

Cleaner Classrooms and Rising Scores: With Tighter Oversight, Head Start Shows Gains

As published in the New York Times. By Jason DeParle JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — When federal officials inspected this city’s Head Start program five years ago, they found moldy classrooms, exposed wires, leaking sewage, a sagging roof and trash-strewn playgrounds littered with safety hazards. A teacher had jerked a student so hard she dislocated the girl’s shoulder.

LSF collects enough shoes for foster children for the next 15 months

As seen on Tampa Bay Newspapers. Read full article here. LARGO – During the month of May, Lutheran Services Florida partnered with 25 community organizations to host Step for Success, a shoe drive. The shoes were donated to Eckerd Connects Raising Hope, a store-front like room filled with necessities for foster kids. The goal was to