Eye on LSSI, Winter 2007 ( Download PDF of entire publication)

Ah, the Lutheran potluck. The meatballs, those JELL-O© gelatin molds, the made-from-scratch desserts served with coffee from an industrial-sized, stainless steel pot. Wherever Lutherans gather, there’s always food. And, typically, they gather in the church basement for circle meetings, quilting groups, Bible study or church council meetings.

But Jody Hedberg had other ideas. Encouraged by Bill Carlson, a consultant, “We wanted to get the Lutherans out of the church basement and into the ballroom,” she says.

Hedberg got her wish. In 1982, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) held its first Amicus Certus (“True Friend”) dinner at the Ritz-Carleton in Chicago. The dinner, which became an annual event, honors an individual or organization that has made significant contributions to humankind.

Hedberg, who was tapped to organize that first event, knew that a group of volunteers would have to be mobilized for the event to continue. Thus, the Women’s Network of LSSI was born to support and strengthen LSSI’s mission of bringing healing, justice and wholeness to people and communities throughout the state.

In its early years, the Women’s Network grew by attracting members through word-of-mouth. Hedberg also called on pastors of local Lutheran congregations for the names of women who might want to participate.

The Women’s Network grew, and today more than 80 women from metropolitan Chicago and other communities pool their collective skills and enthusiasm to serve LSSI and make a difference in the lives of the people whom LSSI serves. The Network supports and strengthens the mission of LSSI through education, fundraising and advocacy. In addition, a new chapter was formed in Springfield in 2004.

Currently, the Women’s Network organizes and supports two major events in Metro Chicago annually: the Amicus Certus Award Dinner in the fall and the Spring Fashion Show. Over the past 25 years, the combined result of these two events has raised more than $2 million for LSSI programs.

Lifting up LSSI

Almost 15 years ago, a friend of Naperville resident Torie Arthofer invited her to attend the Women’s Network Fashion Show in Oak Brook. Now, Arthofer is president.

She says that the Network is involved in two main functions: continuing to run fundraising events to support LSSI and its programs, and expanding its membership throughout the state. In addition, the Women’s Network wants to educate people about LSSI.

“LSSI is often a well-kept secret, even among Lutheran congregations,” Arthofer says. “LSSI is a vital and important social service agency, and we need to lift it up, celebrate it and make sure that more and more people become aware of it.”

“It’s wonderful to see these women embrace each other and our cause,” says the Rev. Dr. Frederick Aigner, LSSI president. “They are such a great group and are really doing it for the right reason. They know that because of [their efforts] someone will live a better life.”

Feeling a connection to the need

Reading about LSSI’s programs or hearing about its specific needs is helpful, but one-on-one contact with the people served by the agency is what is most inspiring. So, Women’s Network members regularly visit some of LSSI’s facilities and programs.

“Site visits afford us the opportunity to see the people whom our work and funds directly benefit,” says Lynn Hughes, a Women’s Network member since 1982. “Meeting the staff and feeling a connection [with a program] is worth a million words and pictures.”

During site visits, Network members often meet with staff members or observe programs in order to gain a more complete understanding of LSSI’s many services. Arthofer says that she would like to increase the number of site visit possibilities for Network members. “Site visits [make] a much greater impact [on members],” she says.

Another way the Women’s Network has been able to personally be involved with helping some of LSSI’s program participants is through The Depot, a year-round volunteer project that solicits gifts-in-kind from churches, organizations and individuals, and then distributes them to children, youth and adults served by LSSI programs. Some of the items distributed include fleece blankets, clothing, toys and books. The Depot gives the women hands-on opportunities to serve others while enjoying friendships with each other.

The ‘main events’

The Women’s Network supports LSSI in a variety of ways, but its most significant efforts are hosting the Amicus Certus Award Dinner and the Spring Fashion Show.

Each year, LSSI chooses a person or organization to receive the Amicus Certus Award. Past honorees include: former U.S. Illinois Senator Paul Simon; Anne M. Burke, Chicago Special Olympics founder; The Retirement Research Foundation; and Rotary International. The dinner is typically held at an elegant Chicago hotel, where attendees enjoy a delicious meal and an evening of dancing. A silent auction is also held to raise additional funds for an LSSI program. In the past, event beneficiaries have included nursing care for seniors, substance abuse treatment centers, programs for adults with developmental disabilities, services for prisoners and their families, and mental health programs.

In 2006, Amicus Certus celebrated its 25th anniversary and raised $213,000 for Steps to Life and Project H.O.P.E., two LSSI programs that help foster care and other youths make the transition to adulthood. Bruce Weber and Homer Drew, basketball coaches at the University of Illinois and Valparaiso University, were the honorees.

In the spring, the Women’s Network organizes its annual Luncheon and Fashion Show, which is typically held the Saturday before Mother’s Day in a Chicago suburb.

“This is something that has really caught on,” says Arthofer. “It started by [only] being promoted among women at ELCA [Evangelical Lutheran Church in America] churches, but attendance has really grown [to include other guests] through word of mouth.” And the event has grown, too, from just a fashion show to a larger event that features booths with crafts, jewelry and other items in a boutique atmosphere, allowing guests to view clothes and purchase accessories. A percentage of booth sales is donated to LSSI.

Bev Moody, long-time Women’s Network member, says she’s moved by the generosity and cooperation of the women in planning this year’s Fashion Show. “I’m so inspired by these women — and I have so much fun [working with them],” she says.

Branching out

In 2005, members of the Springfield Women’s Network chapter joined with other women from local Lutheran churches to form a committee organized to host “Sharing Hope,” a luncheon, fashion show and silent auction. The events in 2005 and 2006 raised more than $21,000 to benefit LSSI programs in central Illinois, including Prisoner and Family Ministry’s Building Homes: Rebuilding Lives and Storybook Project, as well as its foster care and adoption programs.

“Sharing Hope” will be held again this year at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Springfield, on March 24. This year event is focused on how LSSI helps individuals create homes of their own, whether at Victorian Woods, a new LSSI senior housing program in Decatur, or Washington Place in Beardstown, a group home for adults with Prader-Willi syndrome.

For information on the Women’s Network, contact Ed Newton at 847/635-4656.