TidingsProtecting Children | Strengthening Families | Building Futures WINTER 2018

It Takes a Village: Strengthening Families TogetherThis past year with individuals like you on our side, LCFS helped 1,859 children in foster families feel safe and cared for. We’d like to share one of the stories your support made possible.

Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinoiswww.lcfs.orgwww.facebook.com/LCFSIL@LCFSIllinois

WE LOVE OUR FAMILIES AND, NO DOUBT, want to see them succeed. But let’s face it – life happens, and sometimes family members make decisions that leave us to pick up the pieces. That’s where the saying “It takes a village” comes in.

Kristin (not her real name), an LCFS relative foster parent, is an important part of her great nephew’s village.

Kristin’s niece and her boyfriend were very young when they had AJ. They were not ready for the responsibility of parenting. At seven months old, AJ was brought to the hospital and it was discovered that both his legs were broken. At this time, he was removed from their care.

“My husband and I were asked to be his relative foster parents, and we didn’t give it a second thought,” said Kristin.

LCFS was assigned the case, and AJ was released from the hospital to his great aunt and uncle. When he first arrived in their home, he was quiet and disengaged.

“He didn’t cry much because before when he cried, he didn’t get a response,” explained Kristin. “Developmentally, he wasn’t doing the things a seven month old should do.” Once AJ settled in and got use to his new family and surroundings, he made great progress.

“It’s been a real joy watching AJ develop and grow,” said Kristin. “We’re grateful to LCFS for preparing us for this journey.”

Another important part of AJ’s village is Nicole, his LCFS caseworker, who helped the family by explaining the process at every step. During home visits and evaluations, she is always

very engaged in his care. Kristin and her husband trust Nicole completely to keep AJ safe and do what is best for him.

“There are never any surprises. Nicole always communicates with us, and keeps us informed. She helps us navigate all the challenges and new stages AJ goes through,” shared Kristin. “She has so much compassion and kindness for the children and the process of fostering. She is just really awesome.”

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OUR MISSIONIn response to God’s love, Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois engages with youth, adults, families, communities and other stakeholders to improve the well-being of those we are called to serve.

OUR PURPOSELutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois improves the well-being of people throughout the state by protecting children, strengthening families and building futures. We serve all faiths, races, orientations and ethnic backgrounds.

THANK YOUWith your partnership and support, LCFS will continue to be a place where children and families can find the help they need and hope for the future. To view our latest donor lists, visit www.lcfs.org/ThankYouDonors

About LCFS

REFLECTIONS FROM THE CEO

Together we can make an impact

LUTHERAN CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES has a 145 year history of caring for and addressing the well-being of children in Illinois. You can’t be deeply committed to children without being deeply committed to families. Children do best within a loving, nurturing and protective family. LCFS is proud of our history of strengthening families -- foster families,

adoptive families and birth families. We’re called by both our mission and faith to work to strengthen families.

I’m sure you’re aware of the significant budgetary issues that the state of Illinois has faced during the last decade and more. Year after year in response to these challenges, Illinois has cut resources for Human Services. The state has reduced or eliminated many of the services and safety net programs that struggling families rely on to stay strong. Frequently these preventative services, such as daycare, after school programs, food assistance, job programs, housing assistance, substance abuse and, mental health services, are what helps families to stay together and keeps children out of the formal child protection system.

In January, LCFS’ Annual Gathering of Stakeholders featured the theme, “Strengthening Families Together.” We employ approximately 300 staff throughout the state who live out our mission on a daily basis. And we work hard to protect children, strengthen families and build futures.

But, we can’t do it alone. LCFS needs you to partner with us. I’m asking all of you to look after your neighbors within your community, support needed services and advocate on behalf of struggling families. Together we can increase our impact. Together we can work to ensure that families and children thrive.

All of the LCFS staff work hard, and deal with very heavy situations on a daily basis. “This agency goes above and beyond for the children and families they serve. No matter the situation, their hearts are always in the right place,” said Kristin. “They legitimately care and fight for what’s best for these kids.”

No matter how difficult the situation can be, there is great reward in providing a loving environment for a child to thrive. Having AJ for three years now, naturally Kristin and her husband have become attached. Ultimately, they want what is best for him, but the thought of AJ leaving their home and care is tough.

“When I find myself upset with the process, I remind myself that it’s my job to help AJ have a normal childhood where he feels safe and happy,” explained Kristin. “At the end of the day, our only goal is to make things right for him.”

Today, AJ is on track with his peers. He’s a normal, active, opinionated toddler. As for AJ’s future, the hope is that he grows up able to reach his full potential knowing that he is loved. To make that possible, he will always have his village beside him.

Thank you for being a part of AJ’s village and the power behind this important work.

It Takes a Villagecontinued from page 1

UPON RETIREMENT, MARILYN AND

GARY WENZEL began volunteering at LCFS after seeing a presentation on the agency’s mission.

Faith has always been an important part of Marilyn and Gary’s lives. They met and graduated from Concordia

University, River Forest. Both began their careers as Lutheran teachers. Gary eventually became the Dean of Arts and Sciences at Concordia, his alma mater, and Marilyn became a high school librarian.

No strangers to helping people with a hand up, Marilyn and Gary had become a safety net to a challenged but gifted music student at the high school where Marilyn worked. Mark came from a troubled family that was also economically challenged. When he was accepted to Berklee College of Music in Boston, he was unable to attend because the tuition was beyond his reach.

That’s where the Wenzels came in. Berklee provided Mark with a sizable scholarship and the Wenzels felt compelled to help him financially by filling in the gap, so he could pursue his dreams.

“We decided to volunteer because LCFS is able to help thousands of people like Mark with a hand up. Through LCFS’ See the Change presentation, we were able to see firsthand the change that the organization was having in people’s lives,” said Marilyn.

Recently, Gary and Marilyn met with their financial planner and decided to name LCFS as a beneficiary of their estate. “If faith is important to you and you are committed to nurturing and protecting children, strengthening families and making a difference, LCFS should be high on your list when making your lasting legacy gifts,” said Gary.

With a planned gift to LCFS, you can combine your desire to give to charity with your overall financial, tax, and estate planning goals. You will help children and families in need — now and for years to come.

For more information on naming LCFS in your will and joining LCFS’ Shepherd Society, please contact Marylyn Rodgers at (708) 488-5557 or Marylyn_rodgers@lcfs.org

New and Notable

COA REACCREDITATION SURVEY

THANK YOU FOR BEING AN IMPORTANT MEMBER of the LCFS Family.

The Council on Accreditation (COA) is conducting an accreditation review of Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois and seeks your assistance. COA is a national organization that sets standards for quality service and sends teams of experienced professionals to visit organizations to see whether they meet these standards. A very important part of this review consists of asking stakeholders within the community about their experience with, and impression of, our organization.

We are seeking your assistance with this process. You may respond as a general observer of how our organization is viewed in the community, as someone with direct experience with our organization, or from both perspectives. The survey is easy and will take approximately 5 minutes of your time.

To start the survey, call the toll-free number below, or follow the link to take the survey on-line. Note: When you are prompted, please enter the organization code below.

The information you provide is confidential and will go directly to COA. Our organization will not see your responses to this survey.

Thank you for your valuable input.

Making a Difference — Now and in the Future

TOLL-FREE NUMBER: 888-312-2176

ON-LINE: https://goo.gl/4h9mdo

(please type the entire above URL into your browser’s address bar and press Enter.)

ORGANIZATION CODE: 205

Are you an eligible Thrivent Financial member with Choice Dollars® to direct? Without opening your wallet you can help protect children, strengthen families and build futures for those who have experienced trauma. Members of Thrivent Financial have the opportunity to direct Thrivent’s charitable outreach funds to organizations they choose.

By directing Choice Dollars to Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois, you can help …

> children who’ve experienced trauma begin to heal

> struggling families become strong and develop a new normal to pass on to their kids

> children in need of forever families find a home through adoption

Eligible members are notified of the amount of Thrivent Choice Dollars they can direct. The deadline for choosing organizations for funds from 2017 is March 31, 2018. We hope that you’ll remember LCFS in your designation.

To direct Choice Dollars, go to Thrivent.com/thriventchoice or call 800-847-4836 and say “Thrivent Choice” after the prompt.

Thank you!

Thrivent Choice … Choose LCFS

7620 Madison Street | River Forest, Illinois 60305

800-363-LCFS (5237) | www.lcfs.org

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We welcome your feedback, questions and comments. Contact us at lcfs_info@lcfs.org.

7620 Madison Street River Forest, Illinois 60305 800-363-LCFS (5237)

All photographs in Tidings without an identifying caption are used for illustrative purposes only and do not represent actual LCFS clients or staff.

Tidings WINTER 2018

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