News | Lutheran Social Services of Illinois

LSSI Celebrates 159 Years of Compassionate Service

On October 31, 1867, in the town of Berlin, Illinois (now Swedona), community members came...

True Friend Benefit Lights the Way for Illinois Children

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) celebrated its 45th Annual True Friend Celebration...

A Family Restored

Sandra was living in a homeless shelter with four children and struggling with addiction when she...

Supporter, Ambassador and Champion

Longtime supporter Karen Ericson recently opened her home to friends and neighbors for a...

“God’s Work. Our Hands.” Projects Support LSSI Mission

“God’s Work. Our Hands.” is a national day of service for congregations across the Evangelical...

Mental Health Crisis Team Remembers Gun Violence Victims

The Mental Health Response to Mass Firearm Violence Task Force, on Chicago’s North Side, which...

Gardens Brighten Senior Housing Grounds

Summer is in full bloom at Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) senior housing residences....

Families Celebrate Ultimate Foster Care Goal

Families, human service organizations—including Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI),...

Beyond a Service Provider: The Power of Connection in Home Care

When Jeremiah Royster, Director of Operations and Growth for Intouch Home Care Services at...

Leadership Transition at LSSI

A Message from Esther M. Macchione, Chair of LSSI’s Board of Directors In partnership with the...

LSSI Achieves HITRUST e1 Certification

LSSI Achieves HITRUST e1 Certification, Demonstrating Commitment to Cybersecurity and Information...

LSSI Included Among Top Nonprofits in Crain’s Giving Guide

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) has been featured in Crain’s Chicago Business Giving...

David and Julie Luck Jensen to Receive “True Friend” Award

Reflecting on their involvement with Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) and other...

Church Members are Birthday Buddies with Group Home Residents

Members of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church of Logan Square in Chicago have forged harmonious...

CPR Training for Front-Line Staff Offers Peace of Mind

Recently, Home Care Assistants (HCAs) at Intouch Home Care Services of Lutheran Social Services of...

LSSI Earns Reaccreditation from Council on Accreditation (COA)

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) achieved reaccreditation through the Council on...

LSSI President/CEO Mark Stutrud Receives LSA Leadership Award

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) President and CEO Mark Stutrud was recognized with the...

Friends of LSSI Make Holidays Special for Clients 

Throughout the recent holiday season, the LSSI community captured the spirit of Christmas kindness...

National Adoption Day Makes Forever Homes Official

Many Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) foster care offices and adoptive families...

Counseling Center Staff Set Up Ad-Hoc Pantry for Clients

In late October, staff at Lutheran Social Services of Illinois’ (LSSI) Portage Cragin Counseling...

True Friend Benefit Offers Children Statewide Bright Futures, Big Dreams

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) celebrated its 44th Annual True Friend Celebration...

LSSI Joins National Advocacy Committee

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) President and CEO Mark Stutrud has joined Lutheran...

LSSI Celebrates 158 Years of Hope and Vision

On October 31, 1867, a boy named Edward from Galesburg was the first to cross the threshold of a...

105-Year-Old Client Shares Unique Bond with LSSI Caregiver

When Juanita Stokes first stepped into the home of Frank and Viola Paulus as a temporary Home Care...

LSSI Sponsors Life-saving Overdose Treatment at NW Side CTA Station

Nestled between the vending machines for tickets and bottles of pop at Chicago’s Jefferson Park...

Rep. Lindsey LaPointe Named “Legislator of the Year” by LSSI and Lutherans Unite for Illinois

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) and Lutherans Unite for Illinois recently honored...

LSSI Honors Gov. JB Pritzker with “Paul Simon Courage in Public Service” Award

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) and Lutherans Unite for Illinois on Sept. 16, 2025,...

Teams Exceed Goals to Place Clients in Independent Living

The Behavioral Health Services (BHS) Colbert and Williams Consent Decree teams at Lutheran Social...

LSSI Community Helps Students Prep for Back to School

The Children's Community Services (CCS) and Behavioral Health Services (BHS) teams at Lutheran...

A Response to the Passage of the Budget Reconciliation Bill

Statement from LSSI President and CEO Mark Stutrud: A Response to the Passage of the Budget...

LSSI Receives Grant from Chicago White Sox Charities

LSSI’s Families Together foster care pilot received $20,000 from the Chicago White Sox Charities...

LSSI Partners with Elk Grove Church: Respite Care Works Both Ways

This story was recently featured in the Daily Herald newspapers. A Godsend. Vital. A lifesaver....

Statement from LSSI President and CEO Mark Stutrud

Statement from LSSI President and CEO Mark Stutrud: Advocating for the People We Serve Lutheran...

Son Becomes Intouch Caregiver for Grateful Dad

Son Becomes Intouch Caregiver for Grateful Dad When Chris...

John and Liz Rudy to Receive “True Friend” Award

Called to Serve: John and Liz Rudy to Receive “True Friend”...

Advocacy Update from Mark Stutrud

Advocacy Update from Mark Stutrud: Potential Federal Cuts and Their Impact on LSSI Dear Friends, ...

LSSI Featured in Metro Word Magazine Regarding Funding Cuts

LSSI recently was featured in the Spring 2025 issue of Metro Word, the magazine of the...

Statement from LSSI President and CEO Mark Stutrud

Statement on Inflammatory Social Media Posts Regarding Lutheran Service Organizations: Lutheran...

Lisa Seymour Recognized with Excellence in Leadership Award

Lisa Seymour, MS/P, MDiv, Associate Executive Director of Program Support at Lutheran Social...

Community-Focused Mission Since 1867

On October 31, 1867, in the town of Berlin Illinois, (now Swedona), the doors of a new orphanage...

LSSI Names New VP of Human Resources

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) is pleased to announce the hiring of Teddy Umstead...

LSSI Launches Instagram Page

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) expanded its presence on social media by joining...

LSSI’s Cornerstone Foundation: Since 1984

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois was founded in 1867 as an orphanage for children who were...

LSSI Honored by Illinois Collaboration on Youth (ICOY)

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) was honored by the Illinois Collaboration on Youth...

Make a Difference in the Life of a Child: May is Foster Parent Appreciation Month

As May unfolds, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) joins the chorus of voices celebrating...

LSSI Launches Emergency Foster Parent Pilot Program in Five Illinois Communities to Provide Critical Support for Vulnerable Youth

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI), the largest private provider of foster care services...

LSSI Expands Therapeutic Foster Care Program: New Peoria Location to Serve Children with Severe Emotional/Behavioral Needs Throughout Central Illinois

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI), the largest statewide provider of foster care...

Community Foundation of Fox River Valley Awards $5,000 Grant to LSSI

LSSI was granted $5,000 from the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley to support the...

U.S. Surgeon General Issues Advisory on Youth Mental Health Crisis Further Exposed by COVID-19 Pandemic

As a provider of mental health and prevention services for children, LSSI is sharing an advisory...

Selma Cehic, LSSI Director of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Programs, was interviewed by WIFR-TV Rockford for a story about a shortage of mental health professionals

WIFR-TV looks into the reasons for the shortage of mental health professionals in Illinois.

Lurie Children’s Hospital, Chicago, has partnered with LSSI, to provide medical and social service coordination to children and families in the Belmont-Cragin and North Austin communities

Lurie Children’s Hospital and Community Partners to Help Children and Families Navigate Medical...

LSSI Celebrates 154 Years of Transforming Lives

On October 31, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) celebrates the 154th anniversary of its...

LSSI Executive Director for Children’s Community Services Jere Murry, MSW, Receives Lutheran Services in America Scion Award

LSSI Executive Director for Children’s Community Services Jere Murry, MSW, Receives Lutheran...

LSSI/Lutheran Disaster Relief of Illinois helps organize a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) for people affected by the tornado that struck Naperville, Darien and Woodridge

For Illinois neighbors in the western suburbs of Chicago who were impacted by a recent tornado,...

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois to Honor Longtime Donors and Volunteers Beverly Moody and the late Richard Moody at Fall Gala

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI), one of the largest statewide human services...

Aunt Martha’s Health & Wellness and Lutheran Social Services of Illinois Collaborate in Chicago’s Portage Park Neighborhood

Co-location to provide access to mental/behavioral health and primary care to individuals and...