On a recent summer afternoon, members of Edgebrook Lutheran Church, Chicago, hosted a barbeque for the residents and staff from LSSI’s Artesian and Palmer Square Group Homes for adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities.
Edgebrook volunteers played games with residents and the church’s music director entertained guests with contemporary hits on an electric piano. Judging by the second helpings, residents enjoyed hamburgers hot off the grill.
A month later, youth groups from several other congregations played bingo and created cards for residents at two of LSSI’s 20 affordable senior housing apartments.
These are a few examples of the ways congregations across Illinois help LSSI year-round with its mission to bring healing, justice, and wholeness to people and communities.
For the group home residents, one of LSSI’s guiding principles is that each adult has a plan to live successfully in their community. And while residents of LSSI’s affordable senior housing live independently, fostering community and providing ways to stave off loneliness and isolation are important as older adults often face these issues.
Congregations make that difference at LSSI. Another example is the Birthday Buddies program in which congregations provide visits, gifts, cards, and cake to group home residents on their birthday. LSSI’s Neighbor Network provides opportunities for community building in its senior housing.
Last Christmas, GPS Faith Community, Machesney Park, provided Christmas wreaths for residents at Spring Ridge Senior Housing, Rockford, in addition to hosting ongoing Bible studies.
“The impact that church volunteers make means a lot to our residents,” said Lisa Smith, Property Manager at Spring Ridge. “It really opens up so many doors.”
Photo Caption: LSSI Group Home staff, residents, and Edgebrook Lutheran Church volunteers enjoyed a recent summer cookout.
