Congregation Liaison: Outreach and Servant Ministries Committee
Lutheran Community Services Northwest makes our world a safer, healthier and more hopeful place to live for us all. They help vulnerable children, families, immigrants and others overcome life’s most difficult challenges to become flourishing members of society.
Their programs include services in the areas of Behavioral Health, Family and Community Support, Refugee and Immigrant Services, Child Welfare, Aging and Independent Living, and Crime Victim Services.
The origin of our Lutheran Community Services Northwest predates the Great Depression to 1921 with the founding of the Lutheran Compass Mission in Tacoma. The mission served “down-and-out” individuals and families in the community. In 1926, caring Lutherans in Portland organized a similar outreach effort known as the Lutheran Welfare Society. As human suffering escalated during the 1930s, Northwest Lutherans increased their efforts to provide clothing, bedding, food and shelter to the homeless. In the 1940s, they resettled refugees from Eastern Europe and started offering adoption services. Their Spokane office opened in 1956 and the Tri-Cities office opened in 1964 as their work focused on mental health and marriage and family counseling. In the 1970s and 80s, they expanded services for refugees and unaccompanied minors, senior services grew in Tacoma, and the Rape Crisis Center opened in Spokane.
In 2001, Lutheran Social Services of Washington and Idaho joined with Lutheran Family Service of Oregon and SW Washington to form Lutheran Community Services Northwest.
Saint Andrew’s supports Lutheran Community Services Northwest with budgeted funds.
