Stories

Bringing Counseling to Kids at school

When Amy divorced, her oldest son struggled the most of her three boys, and it worsened the mental health concerns he already had. She credits having LSS counseling staff onsite in his Appleton school as the reason his story has a happy ending.

Taking Refugees By the Hand

Refugee resettlement, according to Omar, a Somali-Bantu man who came to Wisconsin when he was 17, is simple - it's just humans helping humans. Omar shares his sobering story of his family's flight from Somalia to Kenya and how Lutheran Social Services took his family by the hand and helped them feel welcome and become productive citizens in their new home.

Hearts Stirred Toward Adoption

After having raised their three biological children — now all in their 30s — Mark and Patti DiBlasi adopted five children from China. Patti talks about “having her heart stirred,” and being open to what God wanted them to do. Rather than being empty nesters, they have a loud, fun and chaotic household with lots of love.

Raising God's Children

Meet Jill and Randy Polifka who have welcomed more than 40 foster children into their home. Not only are they giving children a safe and loving home, but they find fulfillment, too, knowing they've found God's purpose for their lives.

Living Independently With a Disability

Cole is in this 30s and he’s living on his own in for the very first time. He takes the bus, has a job and leads a full and active life in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. His mom is so proud and happy that Cole was given the chance to succeed living on his own. She said, "he loved it from the get go!"

Second Chances

Dakota is one of hundreds — maybe thousands — of kids whose deeply troubled past brought them to Homme Youth and Family Programs for treatment and a chance at a new start in life. Dakota says that if not for Homme, he would more than likely be in prison. Hear his story.

Women of Wellspring

Women of Wellspring is about a place of peace for women in Green Bay. Women talk openly about how Wellspring, an LSS resource center, has given them the support and strength to get successfully back on their feet.

Ciara's Story

Ciara thought no one wanted her - until Greg and Joelle Scheithauer of Ogema, WI, asked her to be their daughter. With the help of LSS, they are now a forever family.
 

There are no unwanted children

After adopting four boys from the Philippines, Joel and Sharon Tomski thought their family was complete...until they saw a news story about the Philippines Ambassador program. Watch their story of how they found and adopted their daughter, Jonalyn.
 

Open adoption: It's all about love

Watch the open adoption story of birthmom Heather; adoptive parents JJ and Jessica Heesch; and how baby Jackson became the 13th child in his extended family to be adopted with help from LSS.
 

Soldier, Pastor, Children’s Advocate Remembered

Every year, Pastor Marty Silseth, LSS’s director of church relations from 1955 to 1988, would put nearly 75,000 miles on his car. He traveled through Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, visiting Lutheran congregations, preaching to their members and urging them to contribute to LSS. By the time he wrapped up his career at LSS, he drove more than 1.5 million miles, wearing out 15 different cars! Read more

Compassion in Every Stitch

Each year, a dedicated group of expert quilters produces hundreds of beautiful, handmade quilts, sewn with care and compassion in every stitch. The quilters are members of Mt. Hope Lutheran Church... 

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A Life Unhindered by Disability

The LSS Foundation recently received a generous planned gift from the estate of Joan A. Paulson, a lifelong resident of Wisconsin. Read her story here.

A Family Creates a Legacy Through Planned Giving

Nearly a century ago on a family farm in Leon, Wisconsin, Esther Fox and her husband raised two children - oldest son, Allen and his younger sister, Sandra Osborne of Mequon. Esther's love of family inspired her children to create planned gifts to LSS in remembrance of her. Read more.