Word from Lutheran Social Services of the South

Among the many good things that this agency does for people in need, CEO Kurt Senske has been instrumental in hiring LCMS deaconesses to provide spiritual care for children in residential facilities. We love LSSS for that, and many other things.

Matthew Harrison

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 15, 2008

Contact: Katherine Kerr, (512) 706-7556 or katherine.kerr@lsss.org

Lutheran Social Services of the South coping with damage, gearing up for long-term disaster response

AUSTIN, Texas -- Lutheran Social Services of the South, which mounted an impressive three-year response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, is preparing to respond to Hurricane Ike which has left thousands of Gulf Coast residents with flooded and damaged homes. In addition to responding to the disaster, LSS also is dealing with its own losses. The multi-faceted social service agency with programs throughout Texas and Louisiana had to evacuate a children’s shelter in Corpus Christi and a children’s residential treatment center in Katy, Texas. The Katy facility sustained some roof damage and power has been sporadic. The Corpus Christi facility escaped damage and the children and staff have returned. An LSS continuing care retirement community in northwest Houston which had been open for only two months sustained significant flooding and roof damage and remains without power. The Houston foster care office is currently closed and without power. Several LSS staff in the affected region have reported damage to their homes.“

We are accustomed to responding to helping others during a disaster and it is a challenge for us that once again, we have ministries and staff that are coping with loss,” said Dr. Kurt Senske, president and CEO of LSS. During Hurricane Katrina, the Bethlehem Children’s Center and a facility for low-income seniors in east New Orleans, were destroyed and most of the staff suffered the loss of homes, vehicles and family and friends.

“Even as we cope with damage to our facilities and the unanticipated expenses of evacuations, we are gearing for the long-term disaster response,” said Senske. “We are meeting with local pastors and judicatories and are active partners in the area long-term recovery efforts.”

“Unfortunately, Hurricanes Dolly and Gustav depleted the modest funds we had available for disaster response. Our ability to respond at the level we hope to depends heavily on the generosity of our friends and stakeholders. We are asking for the prayers and gifts from long-time supporters as well as working hard to enlist new people to partner with us in helping rebuild the homes and lives of those living along the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast.

Following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, LSS Disaster Response provided long-term disaster response by coordinating the work of more than 36,000 volunteers who helped clean out, repair and rebuild more than 10,000 homes. LSS Disaster Response also provided case management services to more than 7,100 households and spiritual care to thousands of individuals.

For more information about LSS Disaster Response or to give a donation on-line, please visit www.LSSS.org or call (800) 938-5777. Donations can also be mailed to: LSSS, P.O. Box 140767, Austin, TX 78714-0767.

Providing help, healing and hope in the name of Jesus Christ.

L u t h e r a n S o c i a l S e r v i c es

MEDIA RELEASE
LSS (800) 938-5777 www.LSSS.org