Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest

the aging & disability Services programs provide quality, customized in-home care that enables seniors and individuals with physical and developmental disabilities to live at home and maintain independence and improve their quality of life; training and support for family caregivers to help them build their confidence, strengthen skills and reduce stress; and home delivered meals for homebound seniors. 1,033 people were provided home care and 145,485 meals were delivered.

the children & family Services programs are comprised of family resource centers (families with children birth to 5 years old) and foster care. There are four family resource centers, part of a network of 35 first things first centers throughout maricopa county, that assist families in metropolitan phoenix and southeast maricopa county to create healthy environments that support optimal child development and reduce the likelihood of abuse and neglect, through play and learn events, parenting classes, and assistance locating community resources. 3,715 families were served.foster care connects children and adults with developmental disabilities with loving homes through foster home recruitment, support, and training. 79 children and adults with developmental disabilities were place in 43 foster homes in 2021. 192 children removed from outside Arizona were placed with 117 kinship homes in Arizona.

the refugee & immigration Services programs help refugees who have fled persecution rebuild their lives in the phoenix and tucson areas, by providing short-term housing, employment assistance, language and self-sufficiency skills training, cultural education, connections to community resources and support for refugee children's education through school liaising and enrollments, and summer and after school educational programming. 2,496 individuals were served.

the emergency service program in partnership with faith partners and volunteers, relieves hunger and homelessness for neighbors facing extreme poverty through food pantries, rent & utilities, emergency shelter, and disaster preparedness. I-help is a unique cost-effective program that uses available space along with volunteers in providing overnight emergency shelter for those experiencing homelessness. Case management is also provided to move from crisis to stability. Emergency Services also provides disaster training programs to help congregations, groups, and community organization establish effective strategies for preparing and responding to disasters. Clients receiving rental and utility assistance totaled 569. During the year, 3,877 food boxes were distributed servicing 13,725 individuals. Permanent housing was provided to 52 individuals. In addition, 7,786 bed nights were provided to individuals throughout the valley.