Charles' Commentary:

Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest (LSS-SW) has begun several new and exciting partnerships with our Lutheran congregations and community partners. The Board of Directors, staff and I are continually looking at new ways to sustain and broaden our services in many Arizona communities. Through strategic planning for the entire organization and individualized division program plans, our goal is to balance limited resources against the needs of our constituents.

For the LSS-SW staff, innovations are underway to focus on training and mentoring. Our employees' deep abiding commitment is an invaluable starting point to getting our important work done. With the addition of training, support and opportunity for personal and professional growth, this agency can provide expanded quality programming and touch more lives.

The agency is also adopting other innovations. Every large organization has an identity or "branding." Our faith-based agency mission statement remains 'Showing kindness, doing justice, and serving those in need'. However, with much soul searching and input from the staff, the agency now has a new logo and moniker. Our logo still embraces our roots, using a symbolic torch, while 'Lighting The Way, One Life At A Time', best embraces our convictions and values.

In an effort to "go green" friends, donors and partners on our mailing list will be receiving a short UPDATE rather than an extensive newsletter. We are moving towards more web-based information as a means of keeping information current, without incurring additional mailing and printing costs. If you would like to receive email updates, please drop us a line or contact us at comments-requests@lss-sw.org.

I cannot thank you enough for your ongoing support and taking the time to read about the wonderful people and programs of this agency.

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