South Dakota CARES: Annual day of giving kicks off this April

This paid piece is sponsored by Lutheran Social Services.

In the spring of 1921, an open house and donation day marked the opening of the House of Mercy, the first service offered by LSS as a resource for young women experiencing unintended pregnancies. The next day, the House of Mercy received its first applicants, an elderly woman and 7-year-old girl who needed a home. While not the expected clients, the House of Mercy warmly welcomed them by offering shelter and support.

More than 100 years later, the history and tradition of LSS is being honored through South Dakota CARES, a statewide day of giving to support vital LSS services. This year’s South Dakota CARES takes place April 10-14 and features program site tours, online giving matches and social celebrations.

“It all started with a day of giving back in 1921,” said Paige Short, vice president of philanthropy. “And while philanthropy is becoming a stronger, more prevalent part of our work at LSS, it’s all possible because of our people. Our employees bring dedication and compassion to our clients every day. We are excited to be showcasing their work, the success of our clients and our impact in the community through tours of several of our facilities this year.”

During last year’s South Dakota CARES, 289 donors came together to raise more than $282,000 to fund the LSS vision that all South Dakotans will be healthy, safe and accepted.

This year’s event and fundraising campaign will focus on five areas of need: Behavioral Health Services, Foster Care Services, the Center for New Americans and the Multi-Cultural Center, Adoption Services and Pregnancy Counseling, and the Cutting Edge Care Fund.

Click below for a look at how LSS and the Multi-Cultural Center are coming together.

“We are incredibly thankful to have generous individuals who are passionate about the work we do,” Short said. “Thanks to our most loyal benefactors, we have several matches available during South Dakota CARES that enable us to put focus on areas that we see as greatest needs in the community.”

Access to affordable mental health care is a growing need for many individuals and families in South Dakota. A gift to LSS Behavioral Health Services significantly impacts the lives of those struggling with a range of challenges, including family and relationship conflicts, depression, grief, loss, anger, anxiety, abuse, substance use, PTSD or domestic violence.

Donations of any size make a difference. For example, a $100 gift offsets the cost of marital counseling for a couple, and a $5,000 donation provides counseling sessions for a child for the entirety of the school year.

“One of our priorities at LSS is removing barriers for those who need services. We do this in Behavioral Health Services by offering the sliding-fee scale to help lower-income individuals and families,” Short said. “It’s just a part of who we are.”

One client, Amber, used the sliding-fee scale to pay for counseling services for her and her son. After enduring years of physical, emotional and sexual abuse, Amber found the strength to seek help. Working with counselors at LSS helped her to feel seen and reminded her she was not alone. Amber is grateful for the donors who made it possible for her and her son to access support.

Click below for Amber’s story.

“You helped us to get the counseling that we needed,” Amber said. “To give my son a fighting chance to be a good man. So thank you!”

Amber’s story is just one example of how financial support allows LSS to change the lives of individuals of all ages and faiths, families of all kinds and communities of all sizes in South Dakota. LSS is grateful for the critical role its donors have played in the history of the organization and for the continued passion of everyone who works to make the mission and vision a reality.

“We wouldn’t be LSS without the hands and hearts that work directly with clients. We couldn’t do this work without generous contributors who entrust us to create the greatest possible good for their friends, neighbors and community,” Short said. “For this, we are grateful and inspired to continue ensuring that our vision becomes a reality — that all people in South Dakota will be healthy, safe and accepted.”

Social event

Celebrate the impact of South Dakota CARES and learn more about LSS April 14 with a social from 6 to 8 p.m. at Falls Overlook Cafe.

To learn more about South Dakota CARES or donate to the life-changing work of LSS, visit SouthDakotaCares.org.

LSS responds to changing needs in South Dakota communities. Our mission: Inspired by God’s love, we care for, support and strengthen individuals, families and communities, and believe in the vision that all people in South Dakota will be healthy, safe and accepted. LSS is one of the largest private nonprofit human service agencies in South Dakota serving people of all ages, faiths, races and economic statuses with professional, confidential and affordable services statewide.

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