How LSS creates defining moments for youth, families, communities

This piece is sponsored by LSS.

The moments that shape who we are aren’t always filled with joy. Sometimes, the experiences that define our sense of self are those marked by challenge — moments that test our strength and ultimately reveal our resilience and growth.

For a single mother navigating the aftermath of addiction or a foster child whose earliest memories are marred by abuse, the difficult moments far outnumber the ones that bring connection, stability and joy. When struggle becomes a driving force in a person’s life, it can be difficult to see a path forward.

LSS believes that every individual, child and family deserves the chance to create moments that inspire hope, security and belonging. With the right support, even in the face of adversity, good moments can become defining moments. And these are worth striving for.

Fostering stability in changing community

For more than a century, LSS has welcomed people of all ages, faiths, races and economic statuses, listening to their challenges, celebrating their victories and supporting them through their hardest seasons. LSS means “stability” to many, but it’s the organization’s flexibility that sets LSS apart.

“We’re listening to what the community has challenges with, and we work to adapt and respond to those challenges,” president and CEO Rebecca Kiesow-Knudsen explained. “Over time, the services that we offer have evolved because our community has evolved.”

LSS’ whole-person approach and continuum of services give it the unique ability to care for anyone who walks through the door, meeting them where they are and offering tailored support or referring out to a strong network of community partners.

While families are at the heart of LSS’ work, the impact extends to the entire system of support around them. Through these areas of focus, LSS helps individuals grow into the best versions of themselves, strengthens families and encourages whole communities to flourish.

Nurturing potential through youth empowerment

Our early experiences influence how we see the world — whether we believe ourselves valuable and how much we value the lives of those around us.

Often, youth served by LSS have yet to realize their value and potential. Some have faced instability at home, experienced foster care or the juvenile justice system or faced each school day alone, lacking support from friends or trustworthy adults.

Like their situations, the needs of each child or teen are unique. Some need acceptance, and for them, a mentor can help unlock their potential and spark a lifetime of confidence. Others require more intensive support such as residential treatment to help them learn healthy behaviors, develop trust and repair their relationships with family or peers.

“There are so many different ways that youth show you they’re doing better, but it all starts with holding their head a little higher, laughing a little bit more, being a little bit more at ease,” explained Staci Jonson, vice president of program operations. “And then, that moves into every other aspect of their life.”

Every LSS youth program is designed to help young people build a strong sense of self, giving them skills for emotional awareness and a confident identity. As they recognize their worth, new opportunities emerge, empowering them to thrive long after their time with LSS.

Encouraging strengths through family support

Family is a fundamental piece of our identity. Because we see ourselves in relation to those around us, when our family struggles, we struggle — and when they thrive, we do as well.

“At LSS, we believe that strong families are the foundation of strong individuals, and that support can take many forms,” said Paige Short, vice president of mission advancement. “Whether it’s a traditional family or a network of trusted individuals, everyone deserves to feel a sense of belonging. By helping individuals navigate life’s challenges, we’re strengthening the systems that hold them up, creating lasting impact for the whole community.”

Families turn to LSS in times of uncertainty — whether seeking financial guidance to avoid losing their home, counseling to heal a fractured marriage or support through life-changing decisions like adoption.

LSS works to equip families with lasting skills for independence. Through family stabilization programs like Wraparound Services, families recognize their own strengths and learn how to build upon them to reach their goals. They also help establish the family’s natural supports — trusted people in their lives — creating lasting networks of care and encouragement.

Most importantly, LSS helps families see beyond their current hardships and envision a future where they can return to what brings them joy.

“We all get stuck in the day-to-day routine of things,” Jonson said. “Help families have fun — which they can do when the pressures are lifted — and they’re able to step into being who they really are.”

Healthy families drive community connection

Healthy families are the foundation of healthy communities. They’re the ones showing up to sports games and school events, contributing to their churches and organizing local activities. In these families, kids possess the confidence to apply themselves, and parents have the time and energy to care for both their family and the community around them.

“When families are strong, they’re active,” said Amy Witt, chief program officer. “They’re supporting others. They’re building relationships in the community. It’s the foundation of a strong community — if the families are strong.”

When a family’s defining moments are the ones when others have lifted them up, they’ll be inspired to do the same. It becomes a cycle of compassion — an outpouring that happens when those who’ve found belonging gain a sense of ownership and a desire to give back.

It’s where the final piece of LSS’ work comes into play. And according to Witt, it’s what empowers families to become better neighbors, employees and friends.

“When everyone in our community feels healthy, safe and accepted,” Witt said, “it makes our community a more vibrant and connected place that all of us can be proud of.”

Click here to learn more about how LSS is empowering youth, families and communities to be healthy, safe and accepted.

South Dakota CARES, LSS’ annual day of giving, is Thursday, April 24. Now through the end of April, your donation to LSS services will be matched — doubling the impact for families in need. Give today at southdakotacares.org.