Lutheran Services in America

10/26/2026

We were thrilled to hold the first in-person convening of our Health Through Housing cohort last week in Milwaukee. Participants from five of our member organizations left the intensive two-day session with insights on how to map their housing projects to a development cycle, explain the capital stack, and commit to clear next steps before our next cohort session. Through this in-person session, cohort members were able to form peer relationships that will carry their work through the next five months of peer learning and technical assistance. We look forward to sharing their continued progress!

Thank you to our valued member and host Lutheran Social Services of WI & Upper MI for sharing both your space and your wisdom with this inaugural meeting.

10/21/2026

We sat down with David Trost, president & CEO of St. John's United and chair of the Lutheran Services in America board of directors, who shared how his faith shaped his path and what his team is doing to tackle two of the field’s biggest challenges: the workforce shortage and housing insecurity. Read the interview to learn about St. John’s United’s new approach to address CNA turnover and how a partnership with a local congregation led to new housing opportunities in Billings.

Lutheran Services in America leads one of the nation's largest and most respected health and human services networks to empower people in America to lead their best lives—so all communities can thrive.

10/19/2026

As a national network, we are called forward by our faith to build the strength and resilience of our communities. Our 2025–26 Impact Report reflects what becomes possible through our shared work. Find out how we’re helping proven ideas travel farther, unlock new investment and elevate solutions that create lasting change.
https://lutheranservices.org/2025-2026-impact-report/

10/15/2026

Together with our partners at the National Alliance for Caregiving, we will hold a webinar on November 10 to explore the realities of caregiving in rural America and opportunities to build stronger systems of support. Rural family caregivers and national leaders will join us to discuss opportunities for strengthening access to care and services, addressing workforce challenges, and advancing solutions informed by the voices and experiences of rural caregivers. Save your spot by registering today.
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/RtXXEpmnTUag0BPRtt7A3w?utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9uZKiC6eEUquugmwHJAy8nlfgOax2GEc66yw1rxI-a9ta3Fkmv8JMa5gf2R_HuJ58y8Zw0pYsTpKYwUmqK722sTrIhFp__J6qoRHSqXFmRWl8OC04&_hsmi=444297976&utm_content=444297976&utm_source=hs_email #/registration

10/14/2026

The Lutheran Financial Managers Association Conference is underway in Nashville where we’re bringing together 50 financial leaders and partners. We kicked things off with a site visit to our member organization Inspiritus’ new affordable housing community.

Built on transformed land from a Lutheran church partner, the community will offer 80 affordable homes for older adults with wraparound services on the ground floor, including a free food market, medical partner space and therapeutic arts programming. Even the original stained glass from St. Paul Lutheran Church lives on in the community room.

Thank you to Inspiritus CEO John Moeller and executive director Janet Arning for sharing how they built the necessary partnerships and kept the community at the table along the way. Also pictured is LFMA board chair Nicholas Lee of Lutheran Community Services Northwest, board member J.C. Williams of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, and our own Ashley Washington.

Read the case study for more!
https://lutheranservices.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/LSA-Case-Study%E2%80%93Inspiritus_r3.pdf

10/06/2026

What changes when the people you serve help shape the work? For six months, 14 Lutheran Services in America member organizations put that question into practice alongside our team and our partners at Greater Good Studio through our Transforming Together initiative.

Members are testing how to center lived experience by strengthening practices such as developing fair compensation practices, changing intake forms, and creating and sustaining feedback loops.

Lived experience has the most impact when it shapes real decisions about programs, policies, and how services are delivered. This work is still in progress and we are excited to share more insights at the conclusion of the cohort.

Thank you to our cohort members for leading the way: Advocate Health Care, AK Child & Family, Concordia Place, Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, Immanuel Living, Lutheran Community Services Northwest, Lutheran Services Florida, Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, LSS of South Dakota, Lutheran Social Services of Southern California, Lutheran Social Services of WI & Upper MI, Missouri Slope, St. John's United, and Transforming Age.

10/02/2026

Family caregivers across rural America are doing extraordinary work every day to help older adults remain at home, connect to their communities, and stay surrounded by the people and places they know and love. Lutheran Services in America’s new Rural Family Caregiver Voices video series, developed in partnership with the National Alliance for Caregiving, puts their experiences at the center. Hear directly from rural family caregivers as they share the realities of caregiving, the challenges they navigate, the strength and resilience that sustain them, and the changes they believe are needed to better support caregivers and older adults.

These stories are not only personal experiences, but essential insights that can help shape stronger programs, policies, and systems of support. Watch the series and hear rural family caregivers in their own words at https://lutheranservices.org/raan-videos/

10/01/2026

Don’t miss our next Capitol Conversations webinar on October 15 where we will focus on the intersections of Medicaid and the health and human services workforce. Sirona Strategies’ Ashila Jiwani, Lutheran Family Services’ Christopher Tonniges, and Good Samaritan - Sanford Health’s Tom Syverson will join us as we explore emerging state approaches in the use of RHTP funds. Register today!
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/YZy9aguZTxGvi08pSzTqiw #/registration

09/29/2026

Through partnerships and collaboration, Lutheran Services in America leads programs that address the policy and practice changes that are needed so that all people in America can lead their best lives. This includes finding new solutions to housing insecurity that can negatively impact health, stability and opportunity. Find out how our Health Through Housing initiative is supporting social ministries to move housing projects forward.

Lutheran Services in America leads one of the nation's largest and most respected health and human services networks to empower people in America to lead their best lives—so all communities can thrive.

09/24/2026

For more than a century, Lutheran social ministries have maintained a faith-based commitment to service in community. One of the ways we serve communities nationwide is by amplifying our united voice on Capitol Hill. We are working to strengthen and protect Medicaid, expand access to affordable housing with supportive services, and build a stronger workforce, because everyone deserves access to care, regardless of ZIP code or circumstance. See our policy priorities and how you can take action.

Lutheran Services in America leads one of the nation's largest and most respected health and human services networks to empower people in America to lead their best lives—so all communities can thrive.