LSG Hosts Orientation for Fostering Unaccompanied Children

On Thursday, October 30, 2014, Lutheran Services of Georgia hosted an orientation for individuals interested in opening their homes to unaccompanied migrant children. In response to outreach efforts in LaGrange, several families came out to LaGrange Memorial Library to learn more about becoming short-term, transitional foster homes for this vulnerable population.

The evening began with snacks and introductions. Gayle Cruz, LSG’s Specialized Foster Care Recruiter, and Anton Flores, co-founder of LaGrange’s Alterna, presented on short-term foster care. Attendees watched a video explaining the conditions that cause unaccompanied children to flee their countries of origin and the treacherous journeys they make to the United States. Afterwards, LSG gave out packets of information including applications to begin the foster care training process. Five families expressed interest in becoming short-term foster homes, and two families have already taken the first steps to begin training.

LSG is collaborating with other LaGrange area organizations and ministries to create safe, welcoming foster homes and a supportive community for unaccompanied children. A local recreational center has offered to provide space for the trainings and for family gatherings once the children have arrived. LSG is grateful to community partners, including the LaGrange Memorial Library, for their support.

LSG is currently determining the next location in metro Atlanta and the surrounding areas where foster homes for unaccompanied children will be developed. Prospective foster families must undergo a three-stage approval process involving orientation, training, and a thorough family assessment. The approval process takes three to four months to complete. LSG expects to begin receiving children from the Office of Refugee Resettlement in February 2015. Families with one bilingual adult are preferred, but those without will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a foster home, contact Gayle Cruz at gcruz@lsga.org or 404-207-0131.

Become a Hero of Hope on Georgia Gives Day!

Each year, Lutheran Services of Georgia honors community heroes at the Heroes of Hope, Healing, and Strength Gala. However, we recognize that our communities and churches are full of heroes bringing hope, healing, and strength to people in need every single day. On November 13, continue being a Hero of Hope by giving to LSG on Georgia Gives Day. LSG has set a goal to raise $10,000 on Georgia Gives Day. By giving even a small donation, you help us continue to provide quality services and support. Donations of $10 or more also make LSG eligible to compete for additional funds and awards throughout the day.

To give, simply visit our GA Gives profile on November 13, make an online donation, and share our link with your friends and family. Your generosity can inspire them to become Heroes of Hope as well!

To thank you for your heroism, all those who donate online on GA Gives Day will receive a special "Hero of Hope" badge for their Facebook profile picture. You'll also receive a brand new story of one of the many clients LSG serves.

Click here for more ways you can support LSG on Georgia Gives Day. Thank you for being our Hero of Hope!

LSG Participates in Georgia's Inaugural Heart Gallery!

Lutheran Services of Georgia recently participated in Georgia’s first-ever Heart Gallery! Now in its thirteenth year, Heart Gallery is a nationwide traveling photographic and audio exhibit created to find forever families for children in foster care. On Saturday, November 1, 2014, LSG joined other adoption agencies at Savannah Christian Church to showcase 16 of the 600 waiting children in Georgia’s foster care system to prospective adoptive families.

LSG Savannah staff members Lydia McCrary, Tacarra Hayes, and Teer Mitchell helped showcase several children who are part of LSG’s Wendy’s Wonderful Kids caseload, including a sibling group of three, a teenage girl, a medically fragile toddler, and a sibling group of two pre-teen girls. Several families expressed interest in adoption, while others asked questions about becoming foster parents or providing respite through LSG. Next week, LSG will host an adoption party where these families will have the opportunity to meet many of the children.

LSG is excited to have participated in the inaugural Heart Gallery, especially as being showcased in the Heart Gallery triples a child’s chance of being adopted into a forever family. Families who are not interested in adopting but would still like to support foster children can donate money to help pay for the cost of showcasing a child in the gallery. LSG looks forward to more events and hopes to participate in the next gallery, scheduled to take place in Bulloch County.

Click here for more information about adopting through LSG or click here to learn more about the Heart Gallery of Georgia.

Win Up to $500 for LSG with an "Unselfie"!

Georgia Gives Day is less than a month away on Thursday, November 13! As November 13 draws near, Georgia Gives Day wants to see your stories of why you give...and give you a chance to win up to $500 for nonprofits like Lutheran Services of Georgia.

Want to Support LSG? Here's How it Works:

1) Between now and November 3, take a selfie that shows why you're giving to LSG on Georgia Gives Day.

2) Post it to your Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram and tag it #unselfie and #GAgivesday. Georgia Gives Day will be sharing occasionally from the GA Gives Day Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts. You can also tag your photo with #LSGGives or email it to Abi Koning at akoning@lsga.org and we'll share on the LSG pages.

3) On the week of November 10, GA Gives will share the top finalists on Facebook and count on followers to vote for their favorite with a like. The top three vote-getters will receive a donation to the GA Gives Day nonprofit of their choice in their name--$500 for first place, and $100 each for second and third.

And don't forget: On November 13, visit our profile and give what you can. Every donation, no matter how small, supports those in need and helps us compete for GA Gives prizes.

For more ways to support LSG on Georgia Gives Day, click here.

Lutheran Services of Georgia Honors Heroes of Hope, Healing, and Strength

On Thursday, September 25, 2014, Lutheran Services of Georgia honored community heroes at the seventh annual Heroes of Hope, Healing, and Strength Gala. Held at the Defoor Centre, the gala brought together LSG staff, volunteers, and supporters to recognize the Rev. Darrel and Mary Peterson, Mr. Erroll B. Davis, and R.N.C. Industries for bringing hope, healing, and strength to those in need.

The evening began with a cocktail reception and silent auction. Over 35 individuals, corporations, and organizations generously donated gift cards, handmade scarves, brewery tours, hotel stays, and more for the auction. As attendees mingled and out-bid each other, they enjoyed live music from local jazz musicians, the TAJ trio.

Scott Light, news anchor for CBS 46, served as the Master of Ceremonies, expressing his excitement at telling the “underreported stories” of people doing good work in their communities. As attendees enjoyed a three-course meal, LSG staff and clients told stories from Foster Care, Adoptions, and Refugee and Immigration Services. Robert and Geraldine Smith, a couple who has both adopted through LSG and served as foster parents, shared how LSG helped them open their home to children. Jamshid Samadi, a former interpreter for the U.S. military in Afghanistan who arrived in the U.S. on a Special Immigrant Visa, thanked LSG for providing him with employment services.

Attendees watched tribute videos about LSG’s 2014 Heroes and the heroes were given the opportunity to speak. Adam and Derek Peterson introduced their parents, the Rev. Darrel and Mary Peterson, praising them for their “intentional lives full of faith, service to others, and most importantly, good times.” Darrel and Mary’s ties run deep with Lutheran Social Services agencies and with the Lutheran church. Darrel and Mary thanked LSG for bridging Lutheran congregations and the community through social ministry to those in need.

LSG next recognized Mr. Erroll B. Davis, the former superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools, for his commitment to education and to Georgia’s children. Erroll spoke about his connections with Hmong and Vietnamese refugees resettled in Wisconsin with help from Lutherans. He thanked his wife Elaine for her support throughout their 22 years of marriage.

LSG then honored local family-owned business R.N.C. Industries for partnering with LSG to employ recently arrived refugees. Taylor Clark, Vice President of Marketing, and Maria Cornejo, the Human Resources Manager, represented the company. Taylor shared her personal story of watching her family’s business grown and affirmed R.N.C. Industries’ commitment to give their employees a brighter future.

LSG thanks all those who made this celebration possible, especially silent auction donors, supporters, the Defoor Centre, Scott Light, and our 2014 Heroes of Hope. We look forward to 2015, when we will celebrate other community heroes who bring hope, healing, and strength to those in need.

 For photos from the event, visit our Facebook page. To watch the tribute videos, check out our YouTube channel.

You're Invited to the LSG Careers and Connections Launch!

Careers and Connections Saturday, October 18, 2014 Clarkston Community Center 3701 College Ave Clarkston, GA 30021 4:30 to 6:00 p.m.

Click to RSVP.

Lutheran Services of Georgia was recently selected to pilot Careers and Connections, a refugee career mentoring program with Higher, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service's national employment initiative. Please join us for the Launch Event to learn more about becoming a professional mentor or refugee mentee in LSG's newest program. Careers and Connections aims to support long-term career advancement for refugees and deepen social connections between refugees and their communities. LSG will recruit 30 mentors and 30 refugees to commit to weekly meetings for at least three months. Mentors will act as a job coach, equipping the refugee to develop skills, identify career goals, and create a plan to reach those goals.

Upon arrival in Georgia, refugees often face significant barriers to community integration. Language skills and difficulties navigating the institutions and customs of a new culture can leave refugees vulnerable to marginalization. Through mentoring relationships, this program connects refugees and long-term local residents who can work together to build a more cohesive and vibrant community.

You can RSVP online to attend at bit.ly/CareersConnectionsLaunch. If you're not able to attend but would like more information on serving as a Careers and Connections mentor or mentee, please contact Melanie Johnson at mjohnson@lsga.org or 678-686-9619.

Click to download our Launch Invitation.

13 Reasons to Support LSG on Georgia Gives Day!

November 13, 2014 is Georgia Gives Day, and LSG needs your help. Each year, Georgia Gives Day brings the state together as one community to raise as much money and awareness as possible for Georgia nonprofits within a 24-hour, flash mob of giving! LSG has set a goal to raise $10,000 that will support our efforts to promote quality services for children and families throughout Georgia. Check out our top 13 reasons to support LSG on November 13!

1) LSG helps children find  forever families! In 2013, LSG’s Adoptions program placed 36 children into permanent, adoptive families. Click here to read the story of the Millers, a couple who adopted two children through LSG.

2) LSG helps refugees build new lives in the United States! In 2013, LSG resettled 407 refugees in Atlanta and 54 in Savannah. Click here to read about the Al Khazrajis, an Iraqi refugee family who are using their abilities to help other refugees in Savannah.

3) Volunteers love serving with LSG! In 2013, 1600 volunteers provided 20,757 hours of service to LSG to make our work possible. Click here to read testimonies from Concordia University students who spent their alternative spring break volunteering with LSG.

4) LSG strengthens relationships and keeps families together! In 2013, Family Intervention Services gave 134 families with 425 children tools to develop healthy, loving, and strong family relationships. Click here to read how LSG assisted the Rogers family in becoming better parents and reuniting with their children.

5) LSG celebrates community heroes! Each year, LSG honors local heroes at the annual Heroes of Hope, Healing, and Strength Gala. This year, LSG honored Lutheran leaders Rev. Darrel and Mary Peterson; former superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools Erroll B. Davis; and business leader R.N.C. Industries. Click here to see photos from the 2014 Gala.

6) LSG gives individuals with disabilities the support they need to thrive in their communities. LSG’s FACES program creates a meaningful family environment for individuals of all ages with disabilities and helps them become active, integrated members of the community. In 2013, FACES served 105 clients with developmental, physical, or intellectual disabilities. Click here to read the story of Ms. Sarah Hatcher, an LSG Support Companion who assists two FACES clients.

7) LSG promotes mental health! In 2013, LSG launched the Behavioral Health Services program and now offers an array of outpatient mental health and substance abuse counseling services to children, adolescents, adults, and seniors. Click here to learn more about BHS.

8) LSG welcomes immigrants! LSG provides a number of services to welcome immigrants. In LSG’s Friends in Hope Detention Visitation Ministry, volunteers visit and write letters to immigrants in detention. LSG offers legal services for immigrants and provides fingerprinting for people who will become guardians of immigrant unaccompanied minors. LSG has also begun providing other services for unaccompanied children, including short-term transitional foster care.

9) LSG helps communities cope with disaster! LSG provides immediate relief and assistance, as well as long-term recovery services that remain critical long after initial headlines have faded. In 2013, LSG continued to support three families through direct assistance with purchasing materials to rebuild homes. Click here to read more about disaster response.

10) LSG is one of the largest non-profit providers of foster care services in Georgia! LSG specializes in placing at-risk and special needs children in quality, highly trained, specialized foster care homes. In 2013, Specialized Foster Care aided 237 individuals in creating safe, caring foster homes. Click here to read how one LSG nurse worked with foster parents to insure that a medically fragile client got the care he needed.

11) LSG has an engaged, caring staff! LSG staff members are dedicated to their clients, active in their work, and respected in the community. Many staff members even take the opportunity to engage in advocacy issues that affect their clients. Click here to read the story of Aimee Zangandou, a former refugee and current LSG staff member who participated in Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service’s 2014 World Refugee Day advocacy event!

12) LSG is non-discriminatory! LSG offers services to individuals and families without regard to age, creed, gender, origin, race, religion, or sexual orientation.

13) LSG can’t do it alone! LSG relies on the generosity of individual donors, churches, corporate and private foundations, public grants, volunteers, and many other supporters to do our work. Your gift on Georgia Gives Day helps us keep bringing restored hope, transformed lives, and healthy tomorrows to individuals and families throughout Georgia. Click here to give!

LSG Awarded Grant for A+ Parents in Savannah!

The Georgia Governor's Office for Children and Families recently awarded Lutheran Services of Georgia a generous grant to prevent child abuse and neglect. Thanks to this grant, LSG will expand its parenting curriculum offered to parents participating in Savannah's A+ Parents program. A+ Parents is one program component of LSG's Family Intervention Services. According to the Administration of Children and Families Child Maltreatment 2012 report, 77 children died as a result of child abuse in Georgia and 1,640 children died due to child maltreatment nationwide. LSG's A+ Parents program aims to provide parent education, support, and parent training for families to reduce the risk of child abuse and neglect.

LSG will implement the Triple P - Positive Parenting Program in the Savannah area. Currently used in 25 countries, Triple P gives parents simple and practical strategies to help them confidently manage their children's behavior, prevent problems developing, and build strong, healthy family relationships. LSG will adopt a Level 3 Triple P curriculum to provide moderate direct intervention for parents of children with mild to moderate behavioral difficulties. This curriculum will enhance the level of LSG's services provided to families with older children in need of addressing specific behavioral issues. This service will target parents with children ages 11 to 16.

Primary services will be offered in Bryan County, with secondary service areas in Chatham, Effingham, and Liberty counties. A substantial number of families in this area with children ages 6 through 16 are experiencing crisis due to poverty, unemployment, inadequate housing, teen pregnancy, disabilities, substance abuse, commercial sexual exploitation of children, and more. Through the Triple P curriculum, LSG will serve 50 families, 80% of which are expected to be single mothers. The other 20% would be single fathers, two parent households, or relative/fictive kin caregivers.

LSG's Family Intervention Services, including the A+ Parents Program, strengthens families and reduces the risk of maltreatment of children. FIS also enhances the capacity of families and caregivers to provide for their children's needs. Click here to learn more about Family Intervention Services and the A+ Parents Program.

"Laws Aren't Perfect" - A Call to Mercy, Pt. 4

For two weeks, Honduran-born U.S. immigration attorney Killa M. will share her reflections on life in Honduras and on showing mercy to unaccompanied children in "A Call to Mercy", a four-part LSG blog series. Click to read parts one, two, and three.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Lutheran Services of Georgia

When people tell me that unaccompanied children broke the law and, as such, should not be shown mercy, I tell them that laws aren’t perfect and they don’t always reflect current societal realities. There are very few forms of immigration relief available for these minors. One of them is asylum. To succeed in an asylum claim, a person must show a well-founded fear of persecution based on a protected ground such as race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group (an ever-changing concept that is applied differently depending on the justice circuit where the case is being heard). The person must demonstrate that they are unable or unwilling to return to their country of origin, or that they are unable or unwilling to avail themselves of the protection of that country. This seems like a straightforward concept, but that could not be further from the truth. I could write a dissertation on the complexity of American asylum law, but suffice it to say, our current asylum policy was not drafted to deal with the kind of generalized violence that now reigns in Honduras. To quote the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in Delgado Ortiz v. Holder, “Asylum is not available to victims of indiscriminate violence, unless they are singled out on account of a protected ground.” So what can you do when your life is constantly in danger for any reason, or no reason at all?

The limited availability of asylum is reflected in the fact that in 2013, only 3.9 percent of the Honduran asylum claims that came before U.S. Immigration Courts were granted. Seems like an awfully small percentage given that it is considered one of the most dangerous countries in the world.

Even when you present a prima facie case in the U.S. legal system, it is not guaranteed that the law will be applied properly. For example, my brother, an attorney working closely with my mother, sought asylum in the U.S. after our mother was murdered. He presented evidence of the murder and of the fact that, since our mother’s death, he had been followed and harassed on multiple occasions. He also presented documentation from the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights requesting that the Honduran government investigate the murder and provide protection to my brother. He presented the Honduran government’s response that it was unwilling and unable to provide that protection. He presented affidavits from prosecutors, judges, security experts, and fellow attorneys testifying that he would surely suffer harm if he remained in Honduras. He asked the U.S. Military Attaché assigned to Honduras to testify to the violent living conditions in Honduras. Finally, he presented evidence that, in 2013 alone, 53 attorneys had been murdered in Honduras. His case was denied because, among other reasons, “[he] had failed to show that any future harm [he] feared is on account of one of the protected characteristics.” If an educated adult, with an objective fear of death, hundreds of pages of evidence, and adequate legal counsel was unable to receive this form of relief, how do you think an unaccompanied child will fare in the U.S. legal system?

For these reasons, I beg you not to turn a blind eye to what is happening at the border with these children. I don’t know exactly how to solve the crisis in Honduras or how to reform immigration laws to ensure protection of these children while slowing the influx of arrivals. I have some ideas, but that is a conversation for another day. For now, I know that we, as Christians, are responsible for showing mercy to these young kids who have already seen more tragedy than most people ever will in their entire lives. There are many ways to help, from volunteering to foster an unaccompanied child to writing a letter to your Senator about the issue. Whatever you do, don’t remain silent.

If you have questions about this blog series or for Killa, please contact Abi Koning, Communications Coordinator, at akoning@lsga.org.

"Why You Should Care" - A Call to Mercy, Pt. 3

For two weeks, U.S. immigration attorney and Honduran native Killa M. will share her reflections on life in Honduras and on showing mercy to unaccompanied children in "A Call to Mercy", a four-part LSG blog series. Click to read part one and part two.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Lutheran Services of Georgia.

I’m not a sociologist, nor have I studied the development of violent crime as an academic subject. If you’re reading this article, chances are you’re already aware that Honduras is known as the “Murder Capital of the World”. According to the most recent UN study, the murder rate in Honduras is 90 out of 100,000 people. In second place by a large margin is Venezuela with 43 per 100,000 people. By comparison, the rate in the U.S. is currently close to 5 per 100,000 people.

Nevertheless, I’m not writing this article to give you an in-depth analysis of all the factors contributing to the violence that might cause a child to migrate. All I am offering is my personal experience: what I’ve lived through, what I’ve seen, and the stories of my friends, family, and those I serve. I wrote this article to help you understand why children arriving at our doorsteps need mercy, and why you should care. Should people in the United States share responsibility for the fact that the Honduran government is corrupt and the country overrun by drug lords? Should Americans take some responsibility for the fact that people’s lives are at risk in Honduras? It is noteworthy that the United States is the world’s largest consumer of cocaine and a major consumer of many other drugs. Every ounce snorted by Americans is tainted with the blood of innocent people that die because that garbage is trafficked through our land. However, that is just one factor, albeit a significant one, that drives violence in Honduras. Yet I believe that, if you are a follower of Christ, your reaction should not hinge on whether or not you had “anything to do with” causing the violence. Instead, if you are a follower of Christ, you should desire to be merciful like our Father is merciful.

God is not impressed with our lofty acts of sacrifice, or how often we go to church, or how many hours we spend in prayer. In Hosea 6:6, God tells us that he desires mercy, not sacrifice. Near and dear to God’s heart especially are the widow, the orphan, and the alien. James 6:27 explains that “pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” Moreover, Deuteronomy 10:18 says of God: “He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing.”

It is appalling to me that people in the church would remain silent in the face of such injustice and distress. It’s shocking to see people who claim to be followers of Christ traveling to the border to yell unwelcoming and insulting words at children. Many people come to me and say, “But they broke the law! Doesn’t God command us to obey our local authorities?” To answer that question, I look at the Bible and the U.S. legal system. While Romans 13 does command Christians to abide by the law, this commandment cannot be taken out of context. In all of history there have been laws all over the world that fall short or are contrary to God’s law. Let’s remember the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—three law breakers who refused to bow down to an egotistical king because it went against God’s command to worship no one aside from him. You cannot ignore God’s law simply to honor human-made laws.

Check back on Thursday, September 25, for part four of "A Call to Mercy". Click to read part one and part two. If you have questions about this blog series or for Killa, please contact Abi Koning, Communications Coordinator, at akoning@lsga.org.

"Even a Child Knows it's Better to Leave" - A Call to Mercy, Pt. 2

For two weeks,Honduran-born U.S. immigration attorney Killa M. will share her reflections on life in Honduras and on showing mercy to unaccompanied children in "A Call to Mercy", a four-part LSG blog series. To read part one, click here.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Lutheran Services of Georgia.

As a grieving daughter, I know the horror that children coming to the U.S. from Central America are escaping. Through my work within the immigration field, I have heard stories from children who have come to the U.S. after seeing their mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, and friends raped, beaten, and murdered.

I’ve listened to a young lady tell me how she heard her neighbors being hacked to death. The next morning, she found the pieces of their bodies stuffed into their old television set. Another young man recounted the story of his brother being beaten in the streets and ultimately killed in front of him because he refused to join a gang. One of my closest friends suffered the loss of her cousin, a bright young woman who was just starting med school. She was murdered after resisting a kidnapping attempt. Last year, while visiting my family members in Honduras, my sister received a death threat which forced us to go into hiding. We left the country the very next day. My brother, also an attorney, was constantly followed and harassed to the point where he feared for his life and came to the U.S. seeking asylum. One of my Honduran friends put his hopelessness into words: “I would rather have been born a dog in any other place than a man in this forsaken country.” In our country, no one knows, no one hears, no one investigates, and no one is held responsible.

Currently, people in Honduras endure levels of violence that people in the U.S. would not tolerate for even a single day. In 2008, three years prior to the attack that led to her death, my mother was shot, but she survived. After that attack, she hired a bodyguard, which served no purpose other than to add to the death toll that horrible November afternoon. Like her, many in Honduras who can afford to do so will hire bodyguards and buy bullet-proof vehicles, just like in a war zone, and hope for the best. It’s a sad sight to see a 12-year-old walking through the mall with her friends, followed by armed men in bullet-proof vests. What kind of life is that? And what about those who live in poverty, who can’t afford to keep their children safe? The violence doesn’t discriminate. It’s obvious; even a child know it’s better to leave.

Check back on Tuesday, September 23, for part three of "A Call to Mercy". To read part one, click here. If you have questions about this blog series or for Killa, please contact Abi Koning, Communications Coordinator, at akoning@lsga.org.

"I Am One of the Lucky Ones" - A Call to Mercy, Pt. 1

For the next two weeks, Honduran-born U.S. immigration attorney Killa M. will share her reflections on life in Honduras and on showing mercy to unaccompanied children in "A Call to Mercy", a four-part LSG blog series.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Lutheran Services of Georgia.

I came to the United States from Honduras on a student visa when I was 17 years old, just a month shy of my 18^th birthday. I wanted to get the best college education so I could return home and work in the Honduran tourism industry or perhaps at the “Cancillería” (Ministry of Foreign Affairs). I wanted a job that would allow me to share my country’s beauty and potential with the world.

My mother always reminded me that, after graduation, I was to return to Honduras and use my foreign-acquired skills to benefit my home country. However, a few weeks before she was murdered, while I was in my second year of law school, she told me something she had never said before: “Stay where you are. Don’t come back to this country. There is nothing left here for you.”

My mother, Judith Aleman Banegas, was a well-respected attorney. During her 30-year-long career as an attorney she successfully took on all kinds of cases, from child custody disputes to complex international business transactions. Anyone who knew my mother recognized that she possessed a brilliant legal mind. As a woman in a very chauvinist society, my mother was nevertheless able to excel and surpass most men in her field. Her intelligence was overshadowed only by her humility and kindness.

My mother loved nothing more than to help individuals with no access to the limited Honduran legal system. Consequently, she fought for the rights of low-income women and their children. She was the kind of person who would watch the evening news and be so moved by someone’s plight that she would call the news station and offer her services pro bono. She was a fierce advocate for transparency in the courts and was openly critical in the media about corrupt government officials who manipulated and abused the legal system.

To this day, I don’t know who killed my mother. I have no idea who ordered or paid to have her killed. All I know is that, on the afternoon of November 7, 2011, five heavily armed men intercepted her car. They killed my mother, her bodyguard and her secretary. My mother left me and my two siblings behind. Her bodyguard had two kids. Her secretary was a single mother of a 9-month-old baby girl.

If you feel bad for me, don’t. I am one of the lucky ones. I didn’t see my mother die. I didn’t hear her scream. I was never harassed or beaten. I didn’t have to walk the streets of my neighborhood wondering when my turn to die would come. Many of the children fleeing to the U.S. from Honduras are not as lucky as I am.

Check back on Thursday, September 18, for part two of "A Call to Mercy". If you have questions about this blog series or for Killa, please contact Abi Koning, Communications Coordinator, at akoning@lsga.org.

Nurturing A+ Parents

Lutheran Services of Georgia’s A+ Parents program aims to build strong, healthy family relationships to prevent family issues from escalating to the point of requiring Child Protective Services intervention and/or out-of-home placements for children. LSG uses the evidence-based Nurturing Parenting Program curriculum which is designed to build nurturing parenting skills as an alternative to abusive and neglecting parenting and child-rearing practices.

In July 2014, one client reported to LSG Senior staff that A+ Parents classes completely changed her parenting style. The client stated that she struggled to show affection to her six young children because she was not raised in an affectionate household. After class one day, the parenting instructor gave her a homework assignment—to hug her children, to practice showing them affection, and to practice being a more nurturing parent. The instructor challenged her to practice at home until the next class. One week later, the parent returned to class, praising the instructor and saying that she had already noticed a difference with her children. She even joked that her own mother needed to attend the parenting class.

Before starting A+ Parents, the client was hesitant. She believed she didn’t need to take the class. However, she now sees the class as the light in her day. She leaves every class re-charged and in a better mood, feeling more positive about herself as a parent and more confident in her parenting skills.

For more information about the A+ Parents program and other Family Intervention Services LSG offers, click here.

Behavioral Health Services Celebrates One Year Anniversary

By Dr. Lucy R. Cannon, LCSW, CCDP-D, Clinical Director of Behavioral Health Services

Lutheran Services of Georgia, Inc. is proud to announce the celebration of our new Behavioral Health Services program’s one year anniversary. We provide outpatient mental health and substance abuse services to children, adolescents, and adults in metropolitan Atlanta. Our BHS clinical staff provided mental health services to our first client on August 21, 2013. BHS’s first client referral came from LSG’s FACES program, which provides support for individuals with developmental disabilities. BHS has a full-time Director/Clinical Director and qualified part-time clinical and administrative staff members that will include a board certified and Forensic psychiatrist, registered nurse, licensed professional counselor, and administrative staff. Our great team now provides mental health and substance abuse services to 15 clients.

BHS’s first year has been very successful. On July 3, 2013, BHS obtained an Outpatient Substance Abuse license through the Department of Community Health (DCH). In March 2014, thanks to the hard work of LSG leadership, the Quality Improvement Program Manager, and BHS Program staff, BHS received a 3-year CARF accreditation. LSG’s CEO and President Floyd R. Blair, Chief Operations Officer (COO) Gary Johnston, and Vicky McClention have been instrumental in assisting LSG in implementing the Behavioral Health Services program.

BHS has also become a provider of third party insurance companies to include FEI Behavioral Health, EAP, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Georgia, AETNA, and TRICARE (military insurance coverage for active duty service members, veterans, and military families). BHS recently received a CMO Medicaid Provider number from DCH. Currently, we are awaiting final approval to become an Amerigroup Child and Adolescent Medicaid provider pending credentialing approval. In October 2014, we will be applying for adult Contracted Provider Services, formerly Core Services, through the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Services (DBHDD). We also offer sliding scale fees for indigent and private pay clients.

Our commitment to provide state-of-the-art services allows us to establish unique relationships with our loyal clients and family members, internal LSG programs, and community agencies. These relationships are the main reason we were able to successfully meet the needs of the people we served over this past year. Our staff has worked hard to achieve these successes. We want to personally thank the entire LSG leadership and staff for all of their support of this new program over this past year. We are excited about the further growth and development of Behavioral Health Services and the continued support of the LSG Team.

For more information about Behavioral Health Services, click here.

LSG's 2014 Heroes: R.N.C. Industries

 

Each year, Lutheran Services of Georgia honors community heroes at the annual Heroes of Hope, Healing, and Strength Gala! On Thursday, September 25, 2014, LSG will honor Lutheran leaders Rev. Darrel and Mary Peterson, community leader Erroll B. Davis, and business leader R.N.C. Industries. For more information about the Gala, click here.

R.N.C. Industries has been in business since 1990. It was founded by Larry Clark. In 1995 Charlotta Clark joined Larry at R.N.C. and the business was incorporated. They have moved from being a very small business, to a company that employs almost 70 people.

R.N.C. produces one of the highest quality shipping containers on the market. Control Temp Packaging is used to ship all types of temperature sensitive products from blood and vaccines, to chocolates and cheesecakes. We strive for customized, high quality service and products for each of our customers.

Beyond providing excellent products to our customers, R.N.C. is committed to giving back to the community.

R.N.C. is named for the son of Larry and Charlotta Clark, Ralph Noye Clark, who passed away at age 5 from pediatric cancer. With the growth over the past 24 years, R.N.C. is now thrilled to be able to give to Camp Sunshine, an organization that organizes programs for children with cancer and their families. Taylor Clark, the Vice President of Marketing, and Maria Cornejo, the Human Resources Manager, are also volunteers for Camp Sunshine.

R.N.C. plans to continue the tradition of excellence in all realms of business, making a wonderful work environment for employees, providing only the best for our customers, and giving back to the community.

LSG Hosts Summit For Our Children

On August 12, 2014, Lutheran Services of Georgia hosted the Summit For Our Children. Organized by the Alterna Community and convened by Alterna co-founder Anton Flores-Maisonet, the Summit For Our Children was a compassionate, just, and timely response to the crises of unaccompanied children and the children of immigrant parents, especially mothers, who are detained or deported.

Representatives of eleven groups and organizations traveled to downtown Atlanta to exchange resources and ideas for responding to the needs of migrant children. Participants included Access to Law Foundation, Alterna, Atlantans Building Leadership for Empowerment, Catholic Charities Immigration Legal Services, Covenant House of Georgia, Dekalb County Schools, DHS Office of Refugee Resettlement, the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, Jubilee Partners, Lutheran Services of Georgia, and Welcoming America.

LSG’s President and CEO Floyd R. Blair welcomed the participants and Anton shared his motivations for organizing the summit. Through showing hospitality, the Alterna Community is intimately connected with the struggles of immigrants in the United States. Anton expressed that, over the past several years, Alterna has become increasingly concerned with how current immigration policies harm vulnerable families and children. He wanted to bring together passionate, concerned people to develop a cohesive response to this crisis.

Each group described their current work with and knowledge of migrant children. What emerged was a picture of the diverse array of services already available, including legal representation and consultations for unaccompanied children, short-term and long-term foster care, alternatives to detention, houses of hospitality for immigrants and refugees, local and national advocacy efforts, trauma services, and more.

Attendees formed three discussion groups to explore opportunities for collaboration. Together, they brainstormed ways to educate the community about migrant children, provide housing and support services, and mobilize faith-based and other communities for action. Each group presented their ideas and began making the necessary plans to make those ideas a reality.

Participants in the Summit For Our Children recognized that responding effectively to the needs of vulnerable populations requires continued dialogue and collaboration. LSG thanks Anton Flores-Maisonet and the Alterna Community for bringing together groups and organizations committed to supporting migrant children.

Click here to see more photos from the Summit.

LSG's 2014 Heroes: Erroll B. Davis, Jr.

 

Each year, Lutheran Services of Georgia honors community heroes at the annual Heroes of Hope, Healing, and Strength Gala! On Thursday, September 25, 2014, LSG will honor Lutheran leaders Rev. Darrel and Mary Peterson, community leader Erroll B. Davis, and business leader R.N.C. Industries. We’ll be sharing  information about our 2014 Heroes on our blog. For more information about the Gala, click here.

Erroll B. Davis, Jr. served as superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools (APS) from July 2011 until his retirement in June 2014.   Prior to joining APS, Erroll served as chancellor of the University System of Georgia, where he was responsible for the state’s 35 public colleges and universities, approximately 302,000 students, 40,200 faculty and staff, and an annual budget of approximately $6.3 billion.

Before leading the University System of Georgia, Erroll served as chair of the board of Alliant Energy Corporation – an energy holding company with $8.3 billion in total assets and annual operating revenues of $3 billion at that time – since 2000. Erroll joined Alliant in 1998 as president and chief executive officer. He retired from his dual roles as president and CEO in July 2005, and retained the chair’s post until his move to the University System in early 2006.

Prior to the creation of Alliant Energy, Erroll served as president and CEO of WPL Holdings from 1990 to 1998. From 1978 to 1990, he rose through the senior management ranks at Wisconsin Power and Light Company, starting as vice president of finance and ending as CEO and president.

Erroll’s higher education experience includes serving as a member of the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents from 1987 to 1994, and as a former chair and life member of the board of trustees of Carnegie Mellon University. He also served as a member of the University of Chicago Board of Trustees.   A native of Pittsburgh, Pa., Erroll earned a bachelor of science in electrical engineering from Carnegie Mellon University in 1965 and an MBA in finance from the University of Chicago in 1967. He is a member of the board of directors of General Motors, Union Pacific Corp. and the Public Broadcasting System. He is on the advisory board of the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) and a member of the National Academy of Sciences roundtable on community resilience. He is a former member of the U.S. Olympic Committee board (2004–2008) and has served on the boards of numerous corporate and community-based organizations.

He is the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including the 2014 100 Black Men of Atlanta Leadership Award and the 2014 Atlanta Partners for Education Partnership Champion of the Year Award given by the Metro Atlanta Chamber. He was also recognized by the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) as one of the “100 Most Influential Directors in America” in 2013 and 2014. He was also recognized as one of Georgia Trend magazine’s “100 Most Influential Georgians” from 2007 through 2011; the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s “100 Most Influential Atlantans” in 2006 and 2007; one of the “75 Most Powerful Blacks in Corporate America” in 2005 by Black Enterprise magazine; one of the “Top 50 Blacks in Technology” at the Black Engineer of the Year 2005 Awards Conference; and the Carnegie-Mellon Alumni Distinguished Service Award in 2004. Erroll also was named one of the “50 Most Powerful Black Executives in America” by Fortune magazine in 2002 and received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Chicago’s Graduate School of Business in 1993, the same year he received a Bronze Medal in Financial World’s “CEO of the Year” competition. In addition, Erroll was honored by the magazine U.S. Black Engineer as the “Black Engineer of the Year” in 1988.

Erroll and his wife, Elaine, established the Davis Family Foundation, which makes annual grants to numerous students in need.

Time to (Re)Enroll in Kroger's Community Rewards Program

Now's the time to enroll or re-enroll in Kroger's Community Rewards Program! Thanks to this program, you can support LSG while shopping for groceries.  Simply follow the directions below to link your Kroger Plus Card along with your telephone number to our rewards numbers.

1) Click here to register online. Have your Kroger Plus Card available. If you do not have a Kroger Plus Card, they are available free of charage at the Customer Service desk at any Kroger. 2) Click on Sign In/Register. 3) If this is your first time visiting the site, click Sign Up Today in the “New Customer?” box. 4) To sign up for a Kroger Rewards account, simply enter your zip code, select your favorite store, enter your email address, create a password, and agree to the terms and conditions. 5) You will receive a message to check your email inbox. Click on the link within the body of the email. 6) Click on “My Account” and use your email address and password to proceed to the next step. 7) Click on Edit Kroger Community Rewards information and enter your Kroger Plus Card number. Enter your telephone number as well in case you forget your Kroger Plus Card. 8) Update or Confirm your information. 9) Enter Lutheran Services of Georgia or 12818, select LSG from the list, and click to confirm. 10) If you have enrolled correctly, you will see Lutheran Services of Georgia on the right side of your information page.

Please remember:

-Purchases will not count for LSG until after you register your card(s).

-Members must swipe their registered Kroger Plus Card or use the phone number that is connected to their registered Kroger Plus Card when shopping for each purchase to count.

–Do you use your phone number at the register? Call 800-576-4377 and select option 4 to get your Kroger Plus Card number.

Thank you for supporting Lutheran Services of Georgia. Happy shopping!

Jessie Visits Refugee Communities in New Delhi - Part 3

Jessie Griggs Burnette, a former LSG resettlement intern and current volunteer, recently spent time with refugees in New Delhi, India. Jessie is currently studying for her Master’s in Anthropology at Georgia State University. On our blog, Jessie is writing a three-part mini-series based on excerpts from her journal. Read her third post below.

Important Note: This trip to India was not for publishable research. This was a personal voyage to meet a group of people that I knew were in need of help and attention. This blog post is, literally, a glimpse into my personal diary. It isn’t meant for publication or academic use. It is simply a raw reflection of my experiences. I am often asked about my own feelings as I travel and work abroad. I feel that by sharing my own feelings and thoughts with the public, I may be able to convince others to take risks – to face their fears.  It is easier than one may think to travel, learn, and help. Everywhere I go, I am met by kind and generous people, always protecting and guiding me. Others can do the same.  I want to be a voice for those who can’t use their own. Sharing my personal experiences within a community waiting for resettlement is one way I can do so.

“As I sat surrounded by refugees, for a single moment, I had a fleeting thought. I stared into the small crowd, and felt like a false advertiser. I felt as if my simple presence was making a false promise that I couldn’t uphold. I felt sure that they thought I was there to deliver some good news or hope, and the truth is, I had no idea why I was there. I had no plan. I had delivered enough food to last the community a week, but I had no sustainable plan to offer.” Diary Excerpt- May 14 2014

Today, I have a plan. Action begins with an idea. The idea has been born, and the first steps of action have been taken. Together, with a team of dedicated and compassionate individuals, I am working to begin a foundation to educate refugee children while they wait for resettlement. Those in the refugee community know that this wait can be a long and grueling one. Our immediate scheme will focus on providing a private education for refugee children living in the city of New Delhi. The long term goal will be planned carefully, and implemented as a team of anthropologists and educators volunteer their time, working diligently and strategically on a very specific task of evaluating current programs that are active, yet struggling to succeed. We will work to identify the problems at hand, and focus on overcoming the issues that have been presented by the refugee community. The immediate goal is to identify and educate as many children as possible so that if and when resettlement occurs, they will find themselves prepared to enter an accredited school system. We have a very long term goal of creating a foundation that can support and sustain a school. The school will offer a targeted education, boasting language, history, science, math, and cultural relativism courses. These are lofty goals, but with time, collaboration, and dedication, we will have the tools needed to succeed. Until then, at the request of refugee mothers and fathers, we will sponsor children as they wait for their turn to live in a permanent home.

If you are interested in being a part of the team or donating to the cause. You may contact the author, Jessie Griggs Burnette, at jgriggsburnette@gmail.com.

Click to read part one and part two of Jessie's visit to New Delhi refugee communities.

LSG's 2014 Heroes: The Rev. Darrel and Mary Peterson

Each year, Lutheran Services of Georgia honors community heroes at the annual Heroes of Hope, Healing, and Strength Gala! On Thursday, September 25, 2014, LSG will honor Lutheran leaders Rev. Darrel and Mary Peterson, community leader Erroll B. Davis, and business leader R.N.C. Industries. For the next three weeks, we'll be sharing more information about our 2014 Heroes on our blog. For more information about the Gala, click here.

Mary and Darrel Peterson have ties that run deep with Lutheran Social Service agencies. Mary was adopted as an infant from Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota. Darrel has served on and has chaired the Boards of Lutheran Social Service Agencies in South Dakota, Colorado and Georgia. Both have been and are active advocates for social ministries in the Lutheran community.

Darrel is in his 45th year of being a Lutheran Pastor. He served congregations in Sioux Falls, SD, Aurora, CO and Marietta, GA. Prior to his retirement in November of 2013, he served as an Assistant to the Bishop of the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA. Darrel spent twelve years with Lutheran Brotherhood / Thrivent, first as a financial representative and later as an Agency Resource Manager. He has a history of working with stewardship and social ministry.

Mary has been a financial representative with Lutheran Brotherhood / Thrivent for 25 years. She is a Certified Financial Planner CFP® and a legacy consultant. She has worked in support of LSG management and staff in their planning and benefits.

Mary and Darrel are both natives of Minnesota and graduates of Augsburg College in Minneapolis. Darrel is an alumnus of Luther Seminary in St. Paul. Mary was an elementary teacher prior to going to work for Lutheran Brotherhood.

The Petersons have two grown sons, Derek and Adam. Derek lives in Marietta and is Mary’s business partner. He is married to Jennifer and they have two children, Fiona and Lars. Adam lives in Lakeland , Florida where he works for an environmental consulting company.

Darrel and Mary were instrumental in their Lutheran Brotherhood context initiating the annual LSG golf outing, as well as organizing the Lutheran Night at the Braves. In 1994, more than 5,000 Lutherans attended Lutheran Night at the Braves.