Lutheran Social Services Of The Southwest

The refugee & immigration services programs help refugees who have fled persecution rebuild their lives in the phoenix and tucson areas by providing short-term housing, employment assistance, language and self-sufficiency skills training, cultural education, connections to community resources, support for refugee children's education, and women's empowerment programming. Lss-sw served 3,300 individuals.

The children & family services programs are comprised of family resource centers (families with children birth to 5 years old) and foster care. Lss-sw operates three family resource centers, part of a network of first things first centers throughout maricopa county, that assist families in metropolitan phoenix and southeast maricopa county. Frcs create healthy environments that support optimal child development and reduce the likelihood of abuse and neglect, through play and learn events, parenting classes, caregiver training, workforce development and connection to community resources. (continued on schedule o)lss-sw served 856 adults and 763 children. Foster care recruits, trains, licenses, and supports foster families in caring for children and adults who have been removed from their homes. Lss-sw supported 152 foster homes in caring for 209 children and adults.

The emergency services programs, in partnership with faith partners and volunteers, relieve hunger and homelessness for neighbors facing extreme poverty through food pantries, rent and utility assistance, emergency shelter, and case management. Lss-sw sheltered 387 individuals experiencing homelessness, provided rent and utility assistance to 224 families at risk of losing their homes, and distributed 6,810 food boxes to food insecure individuals and families.