President's Message: A Look Back at 2007

Every day, I thank God for His many blessings, which come in more ways than I can ever recount. In the first few weeks at the helm of LSS-SW [since October 2006], as my Executive Staff and Division Directors briefed me on their responsibilities, individual programs, clients, funders and personnel, I began to appreciate just how many people have truly blessed this agency with their time, talent and treasures.

In the first 10-months of 2007, we began to make many significant changes that have heightened awareness for our mission of "Showing kindness, doing justice, and serving those in need," and renewed our faith in our vision of, "Following the example of Christ, LSS-SW will provide for all people, quality human care services that build and strengthen individuals, families, and communities."

We presently employ over 550 dedicated individuals, who together with churches, volunteers, donors, government agencies and other community partners are helping to make this year one of the most successful ever ... but organizational change is never easy. Many agencies evolve through a series of growth-spurts, just like people. We have been working hard to strike a balance between our individual and collective roles, which has fostered an exciting new synergy that has not only increased our capacity for service, but has empowered us to work together better as a team.

Each division has established a new set of program goals, while ensuring that staff members continue to seize every opportunity to deliver the highest quality professional care possible for our many clients. In fact, during 2007, our Senior Services Division served more people through In-Home Services than at any time since its inception.

Our Multi-Cultural Division also experienced exceptional growth. The addition of an English Language Training Program continues to exact a positive impact on our resettlement efforts for current and new arrivals. We are also working with the Governor's office, to acquire funding through a "Violence Against Women Act" grant to provide legal services for immigrant victims of domestic violence. Our Tucson Refugee Program recently received "Preferred Communities Funding" to address the long-term adjustment needs of refugee families arising from legal entanglements, domestic violence issues, homelessness, chronic medical and post-traumatic stress disorders, school conduct violations and who need help negotiating the maze of Department of Economic Security service provisions. I am also very proud to report that the Asylum Program of Arizona has become one with the mission of our agency.

In 2007, Disaster Services spread its wings too, with new initiatives and programs in Southern California and with Tanner Chapel in Phoenix. La'Tresa Jester, Division Director of Disaster Services, was also named one of three top national trainers by Lutheran Disaster Response. Our Community and Family Services Division is the process of changing its name to "Community, Family and Congregations" to reflect a significant shift in priority to reach out to more Lutheran Churches and other denominational partners in 2008.

We are currently building a Church Relations Committee (CRC), which will assist our staff with developing and maintaining solid relationships within the community. Pastor Dawn Keller, of the New Spirit Lutheran Church (Tucson) and Jan LaWall, a former LSS-SW employee, have each agreed to co-chair the CRC. Donna Buckles from our Multi-Cultural Services Division office in Phoenix, La'Tresa Jester from Disaster Services and Marie Rutan from our Senior Services offices in Tucson have also agreed to serve on this committee. We are seeking to engage one additional Lutheran pastor from the Phoenix area to join the CRC.

Everyone at LSS-SW is humbly thankful to all of you for including us in your thoughts and prayers this past year. As we continue to minister to the needs and advocate for the rights of those who cannot speak for themselves, I urge you to volunteer, contribute and learn more about our many programs and services. It is only when we all work together that we can truly add "A Touch of Hope" to those in need.

I am truly grateful to the LSS-SW Board of Directors for their unwavering support. They have helped make it possible for us to reach these new heights.

May God to bless you and your loved ones,

Charles E. Monroe, M. Ed.
President/CEO