Past Issues of Good Works
Respite and relief for caregivers - 02/09/2012
Are you a caregiver for an older loved one, perhaps one of your parents?
These days, many people include caregiver as one of their primary roles in life.Help and hope right here, right now - 01/26/2012
If you’ve ever been in a hospital’s emergency room (ER) – as either
a patient or visitor – I’m sure you can recall the chaotic atmosphere.Celebrating generous hearts - 01/13/2012
Thanks to the many people with generous hearts, we at Lutheran Social
Services of Illinois (LSSI) were able to put three times the gifts under
Christmas trees for our clients as we did last year.You still have time to change someone's life! - 12/29/2011
Christmas Day may be past but 2011 isn't over yet! You still have time this
year to make a life-changing gift to help our Illinois neighbors who are in need.This Christmas, a wondrous gift of love will be shared with others - 12/21/2011
"How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is given!" So begins the
third verse of the beloved carol “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” recognizing
that God’s best work is often done in the quiet of the night and without
great recognition.This Christmas, your gift makes twice the difference - 12/8/2011
Sometimes life takes an unexpected turn, and it’s one of our employees who
needs our services at Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI). That’s what
happened to Dorothy, who suffered a brain aneurysm 11 years agoThe Stars Are Out Tonight - 10/27/2011
Are you ever nostalgic for the golden age of Hollywood, when the movie
stars seemed more elegant and sophisticated than they do today? If so,
you'll fit right in at this year's Amicus Certus ("True Friend") celebration.Finding balance in our lives - 10/13/2011
As part of our commitment to bringing wholeness to people and
communities, I’m very excited to tell you about a new wellness program
Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) is offering to congregations.Learning 'life lessons' at school - 09/29/2011
I think you’d agree that for kids, school is about much more than
learning math, English, science and computers.What a difference a life can make - 09/15/2011
"His success meant success to the community in which he lived. As a
constructive city builder, he was surpassed by none in our beautiful city.Help more children find loving homes - 09/01/2011
Melanie, Stephanie and Faith were placed in foster care because of their
parents’ substance abuse and an unsafe home environment.Celebrating one year of being sober - 08/18/2011
We know that children learn by imitation. They copy us, our behaviors,
our attitudes, our preferences. Most of the time, this is a good way for them
to learn and to form a pattern for their lives.From prison to school to work - 08/4/2011
If you think it’s hard to find a job in these difficult economic times,
just imagine the obstacles faced by someone who has recently been
released from prison.More than vegetables growing in this garden - 07/29/2011
Lately, I've learned that so much more grows in a garden besides
vegetables and flowers.What grows faster: carrots or sweet potatoes? - 07/07/2011
The preschoolers at Messiah Head Start, one of Lutheran Social Services
of Illinois' (LSSI) programs, know the answer to that question. In the past
year, they've studied how plants grow in a new science curriculum.A thousand voices tell our story - 06/23/2011
There is a Native American proverb that says “It takes a thousand voices
to tell a single story.”'I want to stay here forever - 06/17/2011
Earlier this month, I had a wonderful time visiting with the residents
and staff of Washington Place in Beardstown for a very special occasion:
the home’s 20th anniversary. Washington Place, a program of Lutheran
Social Services of Illinois, is a group home for adults with
special needs.Autism housing: Let’s address this need - 05/19/2011
Almost every good thing that happens in a community occurs when an
individual or a group of people sees a need and steps forward and says,
"Let's figure out how to address this."Easter's message: all is well - 04/20/2011
At Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI), we are an Easter people,
seeking to share the message and hope of this sacred season. But sometimes
that hope can be hidden in the complexity and brokenness of everyday life.Caring for elders in our 'village' - 04/04/2011
You've probably heard the African proverb "It takes a village to
raise a child." But I don’t think children are the only ones in need
of a "village."Read all about our Bookfair! - 03/16/2011
Once upon a time, there were good people all over the United States
who wanted to help children whose parents were in prison. But
the good people really didn’t know what they could do to make
a difference.'I had people who never gave up on me' - 03/02/2011
Helping kids find a safe and loving home -- through foster care or
adoption -- is an important part of our mission of bringing healing,
justice and wholeness to people and communities.Keeping families connected: The Storybook Project - 02/15/2011
I love to read. Some of my fondest memories include being read to
as a child and reading to my own children when they were young.Moving toward health in body & mind - 02/01/2011
On Chicago's northwest side, there's a place of hope and encouragement
for people who are struggling with mental illness and poverty.What does the tax increase mean for LSSI? - 01/24/2011
Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) exists for one reason — to serve
people in need. But we can't do this work by ourselves.Christmas Wrap-Up - 01/06/2011
Thanks to many people with big hearts, we just celebrated a very special
Christmas at Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI).Christmas Help - 12/21/2010
What are you doing for Christmas? That's a question many of us
are asking each other these days.Christmas Appeal - 12/02/2010
As you plan your year-end giving, please remember Lutheran Social Services
of Illinois. Thanks to a generous match from LSSI and Cornerstone
Foundation Trustees, every donation we receive between now and
the end of December will be matched, dollar-for-dollar, up to $125,000.Intouch Adult Day Services - 11/16/2010
Judy Lovett, a friend of our Intouch Adult Day Services in Moline, recently
said: "God provides people to help us, and God provides places like Intouch."Amicus Certus 2010 - 10/26/2010
Almost all of us ask the question, "Who am I?" at some point in our lives.
But that's a question that is particularly critical to many people who
are adopted.Community Forum - 10/12/2010
I sometimes wonder if in election years there's a full moon during the whole
month of October. In the midst of all of the rhetoric, accusations and counter
attacks that are part of political campaigns, I hear little discussion of the
fundamental questions facing our state and our country.Faith Love and Hope 09/28/2010
I have an amazing story of faith, hope and love for you. Jamal, Jerome
and Jorell were born into a family with a history of drug use, sexual
abuse and criminal activity.Women at the Well - 09/07/2010
When she shares her story, Hara Scalin, 37, gives people hope. Hara is a
mother and recovering addict who has been incarcerated multiple times
on drug-related charges.
