Category: Frontline Heroes

By Christopher Findlay, Senior Marketing Manager

Today’s Front Line Hero is Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio for providing Thanksgiving meals to people without homes.

The Columbus-based Lutheran Social Services provides services across 27 Ohio counties to address challenges related to food, shelter, safety, and healing. The organization runs five permanent food pantries, two homeless shelter programs, domestic violence services and a safe haven shelter, and three social enterprises. In 2017, LSS received the Columbus Foundation Award for helping central Ohioans in need.

In a year when pandemic has forced many into social isolation, the Thanksgiving holiday poses additional challenges for people without housing. LSS intends to help see people through this difficult time by providing turkey dinners for residents of its Faith Mission shelter. For safety, residents will have dedicated areas where they can share their meal with others they are staying with at the shelter. The dinners will be prepared by local motorcycle clubs and will include some of the most important staples of a Thanksgiving dinner—collard greens, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes.

Thank you to LSS for providing food security—and a bit of holiday cheer—to residents this Thanksgiving.

By Christopher Findlay, Senior Marketing Manager

Today’s Front Line Hero is Lutheran Social Services of the Virgin Islands for supporting local communities in the wake of the recent hurricanes and the COVID-19 pandemic.

LSSVI traces its roots back to 1904 when Princess Louise of Denmark sent two deaconesses to St. Croix to help combat the island’s high infant mortality rate. Today, LSSVI continues to care for infants and toddlers as well as low-income older adults and people with disabilities. The organization is also committed to providing disaster relief to support families most affected by the damage of the recent devastating hurricanes; LLSVI has assembled construction teams of 10–20 people to assist the rebuilding of damaged homes for low-income seniors across St. Croix.

Abiding by its motto “by love, serve one another,” LSSVI is also forging partnerships in the community to ensure its staff and the people they serve receive the resources they need to protect themselves from COVID-19. Financial services corporation Ocwen USVI donated supplies for children and LSSVI employees at Sister Emma Cottage and Queen Louise Home for Children to remain safe and healthy. In addition to COVID relief, supporters in the St. Thomas community donated food and other supplies to help people with disabilities and older adults at LSSVI’s senior living communities prepare for the next hurricane.

Thank you to LSSVI for your steadfast efforts in helping resilient communities across St. Croix carry on.

 By Caitlyn Gudmundsen, Director of Strategic Initiatives

Today’s Front Line Hero is Community Family Life Services, who we recognize on this World AIDS Day for its committed service to people living with HIV/AIDS.

Community Family Life Services (CFLS) has served Washington, DC for more than 50 years, and has gained trust in the community along the way. CFLS provides children, families, and adults with resources needed to move beyond poverty and homelessness, and supports women in their reentry after incarceration. These supports include housing, mentorship, employment programs, as well as health supports such as a HIV testing.

In addition to the supports and services CFLS offers to people living with HIV/AIDS, it is dedicated to eliminating the stigma of the virus, providing public events and education. The regularly scheduled Safe Sex and Testing Parties feature guest speakers who share comprehensive information about risk reduction, as well as opportunities for HIV testing. CFLS is also a proud community partner for the Whitman-Walker Health’s Walk & 5K to End HIV, which engages thousands of DC residents to fundraise and walk or run to show their support for dependable, high-quality healthcare for those living with HIV. The virtual walk occurred on Saturday, October 24, but supporters can continue to donate to the cause through December 31, 2020.

On this World AIDS Day and every day, thank you to Community Family Life Services for the support and high-quality care you provide to people infected or affected by HIV/AIDS!

By Christopher Findlay, Senior Marketing Manager

Today’s Front Line Hero is Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains in Colorado for elevating the importance of mental health for our nation’s veterans during the COVID-19 pandemic.

LFS considers the mental and emotional well-being of its community a top priority. As the stress and anxiety of the pandemic takes a deeper toll, the organization remains committed to support people who have been affected by COVID-19; LFS provides services through a partnership with the Colorado Spirit Crisis Counseling Program to support people during their recovery.

This past Veterans Day, LFS took an extra step in its recognition of those who serve in uniform. As one of 19 contracted providers of confidential mental and emotional support in Colorado, the organization’s Colorado Spirit Wellness Program hosted a panel of health and human service professionals to explore the difficulties posed by COVID-19 and the resources that are available to veterans, active duty servicemembers, and their families. The panel provided an opportunity to not only hear stories about traumatic situations but to relay important resources related to mental health for the veteran community.

Thank you to LFS for your service to the veteran community and for all individuals seeking a helping hand through this stressful time.

By Emily Gross, Senior Manager of Program Development and Outreach

Today’s Front Line Hero is Tuff Memorial Home Corporation for their inventive approach to helping older adults have fun and feel more connected to their community.

Located in southwest Minnesota, the organization offers independent and assisted living for older adults ranging from individual apartments to private rooms with skilled nursing and professional care.

Throughout the pandemic, the team at Tuff Memorial Home have hosted a wide array of safe events and activities for residents. In recent months, they held a live music performance featuring a member of The Sioux Falls Tempo Band playing Johnny Cash cover songs, organized a historical presentation with a local reenactor and a covered wagon, and arranged barbecues and picnics – all for residents to enjoy outdoors. Staff have also used social media and their website to encourage open communication between residents and their loved ones through letters, cards, gift boxes, video calls, and visits compliant with social distancing requirements. They have even welcomed animal friends from local rescue organizations to the community – residents have met puppies, kittens, and a zebra this year. Plus, the team worked with local community organizations to arrange a Halloween costume parade and a special service for Veteran’s Day.

Thank you, Tuff Memorial Home Corporation, for truly living your mission and providing heartfelt quality care that contributes to a sense of dignity for older adults.

By Christopher Findlay, Senior Marketing Manager

Today’s Front Line Hero is Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center in Brush, Colorado, for its communal approach to protecting residents from COVID-19.

Eben Ezer leans on its Christian heritage and appreciation for innovation to offer premium person-directed care for older adults and people with disabilities in northeast Colorado. The organization recognizes its residents as individuals with distinct needs and interests, and creates an environment with that in mind that accounts for their emotional and mental well-being in addition to the physical. Companionship, meaningful activity and variety are crucial components of life that Eben Ezer incorporates into the long-term care it delivers.

Eben Ezer prides itself as being not only a provider of continuum care for older adults but an advocate for their health on a larger scale as well. This commitment has taken on new meaning during the COVID-19 pandemic. In October, Eben Ezer CEO Shelly M. Griffith penned an open letter to residents of Morgan County, where the organization is based, to both assure them that the center was doing everything it could to keep its residents safe and to enlist the help of the community as a whole to adhere to health guidelines. Taking simple steps like wearing a mask and social distancing, Griffith wrote, would go a long way to prevent the spread of the virus—and save many lives in the process.

Thank you to Eben Ezer for your transparency and innovative approaches to curbing the coronavirus and keeping those who are at greater risk safe.

By Emily Gross, Senior Manager of Program Development and Outreach

Today’s Front Line Hero is Concordia Place for adapting programming during the pandemic to further help working parents and their children.

Based in Chicago, Concordia Place provides inclusive programs that help children, teens, and adults thrive regardless of their economic background. Ordinarily, Concordia Place’s School-Age 365 Program offers educational and social activities each afternoon after school. But after Chicago Public Schools transitioned entirely to remote learning in response to COVID-19, Concordia Place saw a new need surface in the community for childcare that spans the entire schoolday.

They have since adapted their program to extend to a full-day model that provides access to WiFi, meals and snacks, and support for homework and assignments all within a safe learning environment. Beginning at 7:30 each morning, children enrolled in School-Age 365 can go to one of two centers in downtown Chicago. Highly qualified instructors then guide them through their day, ensuring they log into their classes, providing support during lessons, and assisting with technology and homework. When they are not in class, School-Age 365 kids can safely play and socialize. Concordia Place also offers rates on a sliding scale to ensure the program is affordable for all families.

We applaud Concordia Place for expanding their hours in support of a safe, healthy, and fun learning environment for children that ensures their parents can continue to report to work.

Today’s Front Line Hero is Concordia Place, which reopened its doors on Monday, April 13th as an emergency childcare center for children of essential workers. Concordia Place provides community programs addressing key social needs for children, youth, adults, and seniors, with locations throughout Chicago, IL. Concordia Place is guided by the principle of being a “Place of Yes.” When they saw the need for childcare so parents could go to work, they responded, “Yes!”

Concordia Place paused its community programs amidst directives to social distance, but soon recognized essential workers’ need for childcare, since schools and daycare facilities have closed. They recognized that they were well-equipped to serve their community as an emergency childcare center, since they had facilities that typically house community programs for children, and staff who are trained in health and safety precautions. The center is open to any family whose position is within the Illinois definition of the essential workforce and does not have another source of sustainable child care. The service is not limited to Concordia families, and the center is no open Monday – Friday, 7 am – 6 pm.

As part of their opening as an emergency childcare center, Concordia has enhanced health and safety precautions, many of which will continue as they resume full operations at each of their locations. Precautions include health screenings for children and staff at arrival, temperature screenings during the day, enhanced sanitation procedures, additional nightly janitorial services, and limiting classrooms to ten children to allow for social distancing.

Thank you to Concordia Place and your dedicated staff for being a “Place of Yes,” and adapting to serve the needs of your community.

By Christopher Findlay, Senior Marketing Manager

Today’s Front Line Hero is Samaritan Counseling Center of Southern Wisconsin for expanding services during the pandemic to give people a sense of stability through this time of uncertainty.

For nearly three decades, the Monona-based Samaritan Counseling Center has provided counseling services to people of different backgrounds and walks of life. The organization adheres to a philosophy of caring for the mind, body, spirit, and community in all manners of counseling, from trauma and depression to couples counseling and therapy for children and adolescents.

Throughout all the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has presented, Samaritan Counseling Center has also found opportunities. The organization’s executive director, Dan Feaster, recently outlined the benefits that expanded use of telehealth has brought, including more accessibility to both current and new clients. For instance, the center is using virtual health visits as a way to continue counseling services for older adults with depression and anxiety who can no longer drive. What’s more, the organization hired a new therapist to help treat clients at a time when mental health services are so crucial. From front line workers who grapple with the stress of working in an environment at greater risk of coronavirus exposure, to others who may be struggling with job loss or other forms of uncertainty, Samaritan Counseling Center is committed to serving the needs of its community.

Thank you to Samaritan Counseling Center for being the mental, emotional, and spiritual rock of the Madison area.

By Haley Leis, Intern

Today’s Front Line Hero is Peace Community Center for their dedication to helping the next generation of STEAM scholars!

Peace Community Center is located in Tacoma, WA and empowers children and their families through transformational educational experiences. Peace Community Center has programs for children of all ages, from elementary school through college, aimed at creating active learners with the skills, experiences, and values to become vibrant members of their communities.

Peace Community Center aims to generate interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math through their STEAM-focused curriculum. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Peace Community Center has had to adjust to life in an online world. In order to continue helping students, they have shifted to virtual one-on-one academic coaching, tutoring, and homework assistance. Online and drive thru events have also helped keep families and students engaged during these difficult times.

Thank you to Peace Community Center for your dedication to learning in these difficult times!