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| Frequently Asked Questions |
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1. How large is LSS?
We're the third largest religiously affiliated social service agency in New England -- behind Catholic Charities and Jewish Family Services -- despite the fact that Lutherans comprise less than 1% of the population in the Northeast.
We serve approximately 2,000 people on any given day in five New England states. The only state in which we do not have a large programmatic presence is Rhode Island, where we do have an office of our Adoption Program, in Cranston.
We serve older adults through five residential programs, including two nursing homes and three assisted living-type programs. Luther Ridge, a new affordable independent and assisted living facility, will open during 2005 in Middletown, Connecticut.
We also serve troubled children from toddlerhood through late teens, parenting teenage mothers and their children, adults with developmental disabilities, refugees including unaccompanied refugee minor children, families seeking to adopt and birth mothers, and low income individuals and families in need of transportation.
2. Do you serve only Lutherans?
By no means! While we are affiliated with and supported by the Lutheran Church, we serve all people who seek our care, regardless of background or belief. We do not ask our clients about their religious affiliation.
3. What do your services cost?
For the most part, nothing. The majority of our programs are funded through state contracts and a variety of other subsidies, including Medicare and Medicaid. Our elder residents may pay for services according to their ability. Adoption is the one exception, but adopting a child with special needs may be less costly. For more information about the costs associated with adoption, go to www.AdoptLSS.org. As for Good News Garage -- the program that provides reliable cars to people in need -- the costs vary from state to state but are extremely low in those states where there is any cost at all for a car.
4. May people apply for your services?
Yes and no. Individuals seeking to adopt and birth mothers may contact us for services. Older adults may certainly apply to all of our residential programs that serve their needs. Low income individuals seeking transportation are welcome to call us at 1-877-GIVE AUTO (448 3288). Depending on their state of residence, they may be eligible to apply for a car. Refugees come to us for resettlement through Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services. However, our resettlement programs in West Springfield and Worcester, Mass., and Concord, N.H., have services that are also available to refugees and immigrants resettled through other agencies. All of the young clients in our foster care, teen and parenting teen programs, as well as our clients with developmental disabilities, are referred to us through the state agencies where they reside.
4. How may I support your work?
Click on "Volunteer Opportunities" or "Giving to LSS" below to find out!
Any other questions? E-mail MMann@LSSNE.org.
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