Jessica Finds Her Forever Home

Like many couples today, Melody and Gary King of Savannah didn’t jump into parenthood right after marriage.  After exchanging ‘I do’s', the couple spent several years living internationally while Gary served in the military.  Upon returning the States, the couple continued to relish their carefree lifestyle.  They built busy careers, while staying active by running or working out at the gym.  Weekends were spent on their hobby – riding motorcycles.  

As the Kings both neared their mid-thirties, they felt the time was right to add a child to their lives.  While Melody had often dreamed of adopting a child, she quickly the reality overwhelming:  substantial financial costs, waiting time, and the emotional stress involved in adopting.

After exploring several private avenues for adopting, Melody and Gary became frustrated when they seemed to get nowhere.  Through their research, the Kings learned of another path to adoption – adopting a child who has been placed in Foster Care by the Division of Family and Child Services (DFCS). 

That’s when Melody and Gary called Lutheran Services of Georgia.

The Adoption Journey Begins

“We were nervous about what they were getting into, but we felt like we had reached the end of a road,” says Melody “It was either adopt or give up.”  

When they learned about the many older children in Foster Care waiting to be adopting, the Kings decided that this was how they wanted to add to their family.  

“We really didn’t think about children until we were older, and I’ve never been a baby person,” she says.  The couple considered their active lifestyle and decided that an older child would fit into their lifestyle more easily than an infant. 

The Kings were put in touch with LSG’s Wendy’s Wonderful Kids recruiter Tacarra Hayes.    

Wendy’s Wonderful Kids is a program that is part of the Dave Thomas Adoption Fund.  Through grants provided by Wendy’s Wonderful Kids, Lutheran Services of Georgia employs two Wendy’s Wonderful Kids recruiters, who use a child-center approach to recruiting.  WWK recruiters often focus on older children or sibling groups in Foster Care – kids that are often harder to place than single children or infants and toddlers.

Tacarra started the process quickly by sending the Kings a few profiles of children who were in Foster Care and eligible for adoption.  When they read Jessica’s profile, they immediately wanted to meet her.

After the Kings met Jessica, they were in agreement - they wanted Jessica to join their family.  Jessica finished out the school year living with her foster family, but spent her weekends with Melody and Gary. 

Jessica joined her new family full-time that summer, and in December her adoption was finalized.

A New Life for the Kings

Until joining the King’s family, Jessica wasn’t a particularly active kid.  Like many teenagers she preferred videos games to exercise.  But with Melody’s encourage Jessica began running with her and getting in shape. Jessica just recently joined her school’s soccer team, which has now become her passion.

In addition to love of soccer, Jessica is a typical teenage girl – indulging in celebrity gossip, hair, and make-up, and of course, shopping.

“With adopting a teenager, every day is a new test for learning about each other and how we work together as a family…” says Melody.  “There is never a dull moment.  Every day I wake and just wonder, “what will happen today? That may seem scary for some people, but scary can also be exciting and this is how you have to approach these situations.”

Melody’s Advice to Adoptive Parents

When asked what advice she’d give those considering adopting an older child, Melody says, “Adopting an older child is not for the faint of heart.  They have a personality of their own, they have habits from their previous life that you may not agree with, but they are children in need of parents.”

She says that others were worried for her – that it would be hard to love an older child or feel a strong mother-daughter bond. 

“You were not born loving your spouse, you fell in love with them.  There may be times when you dislike what they do, but you love them regardless.  Earning the love of a children through adoption is harder that having that biological bond, but you will learn that.  That kind of love is so much stronger than what people give it credit for.”

Help us find forever homes for more deserving children. Donate to LSG today!

Billy Joe Finds a Home

Billy Joe loves his comfortable recliner in the Johnson family’s cozy living room. Visitors will often find him there when they stop by the house. When friends and guests enter the room, he’s quick to hold out his hand to greet them. Billy Joe, who has been non-verbal his entire life, uses a smile, a wave and a hand shake to say “hello.”

“Everybody loves Billy Joe,” says Shaunteisha Johnson, his Support Companion. “And he’s never met a stranger.”

Billy Joe has been living with Shaunteisha Johnson and her family for just eight months. The Johnsons are one of Lutheran Services of Georgia’s host home providers for our disability services program for adults with developmental disabilities. Since he moved in, 73-year-old “Joe Joe,” as the Johnson family calls him, has made tremendous strides in his social and physical progress.

Billy Joe Makes Improvements and Progress in the Face of Challenges

When he came to LSG, the case managers were given inaccurate information about Billy Joe. His health was poor, although it had not been documented, and his Medicaid benefits were inactive. And Billy Joe was unable to speak up for himself.

Billy Joe in his favorite recliner in the Johnsons' home.

These challenges didn’t stop the Johnsons.

Billy Joe quickly became part of the Johnson family. They began by addressing his medical issues. Shaunteisha took him to doctors’ appointments and followed his care instructions to improve his health. It took months for Billy Joe’s Medicaid benefits to be reactivated, so the family negotiated with doctors and facilities to bill at a later date.

“During this four month period the family received no payment, and Billy Joe received no personal spending money,” says Christina Blair, program manager at LSG.  “However, this amazing family never hesitated to provide for the needs and wants of Billy Joe.”

Beyond taking charge of his medical needs, the Johnson family has welcomed Billy Joe into their home as one of their own. He is loved by Shaunteisha, her husband and their four children – ages 16, 14, 12 and 9 and receives a lot of attention. At home, he’s greeted by the children when they come home from school. He attends church with them on Sundays and accompanies them on outings in the community. Billy Joe has taken a particular liking to Shaunteisha’s mother and her husband and the feeling is mutual.

The Johnsons’ Big Hearts Help and Heal

Shaunteisha only recently became a Support Companion with LSG.  Billy Joe is her first disability services participant.

“I’m a people person and I have a big heart and so much to offer someone,” Shaunteisha explains.

Shaunteisha shows great pride in how Billy Joe has improved since he’s been to her home.

“It melts my heart when the caregivers at his day care center tell me how much he’s changed in the last few months,” says Shaunteisha.

Christina Blair, LSG, is amazed at the transformation of Billy Joe in such a short time.

“During the last visit, Billy Joe greeted me with a hand shake and a smile.  He did neither to anyone six months ago,” says Christina. “He even showed me how to take a selfie!  He smiled and laughed out loud when I praised his progress.  I believe the sky is the limit, and next month, Billy Joe might even end his life-long silence and greet me with a word or two. This family has really been able to show Billy Joe what love is, as well as make him comfortable enough to branch out into so many new experiences. Billy Joe is growing with love, and the possibilities are endless.”

If you are interested in becoming a Support Companion and opening your home to an adult with a developmental disability, please contact Lutheran Services of Georgia’s disability services department at 404-875-0201.

If you are interested in helping more adults like Billy Joe thrive in a home setting, please click here to donate today.

Hunger Walk Participant Gets Creative With Fundraising

Chelsea Lemcke, Hunger Walk participant, crocheter, “Hats for Hunger” fundraiser, and Trinity Lutheran Church member, shares her passion for fighting hunger:

My story isn’t exactly mine. It belongs to the whole congregation, and I’m just a small piece of it.

I started Hats for Hunger in my senior year of high school. I had been crocheting for six years before that, and I was inspired by my church, Trinity Lutheran Church in Lilburn, and their enthusiasm for the Atlanta Hunger Walk to do something with my “talent.”

Looking back on it now, I was just a beginner. I was selling mediocre hats at $5 and $10 a piece because I knew they weren’t stellar quality. In fact, it was so pathetic, as my mom often tells me, that she told me she would match whatever funds I raised that year for fear I would be disheartened. Fortunately, the people in my congregation at Trinity were moved by my tiny project, and they gave wholeheartedly. I ended up raising just over $100, and I remember being so excited as I watched my mom grin and pull out her checkbook.

For the past five years after that moment, hunger relief has been my passion. Our youth group volunteered at the Atlanta Community Food Bank, and I did so many speeches for my communications classes on hunger in the United States that it made my teachers and professors laugh. When my boyfriend started excitedly suggesting ways to make Hats for Hunger more efficient and effective, I knew I was in love.

It’s a good thing I’ve gotten a lot of practice crocheting, because this year, from donations and hat sales, Hats for Hunger has made over $800.

I am beyond grateful to be a part of a community that cares so deeply for its neighbors. Every year I watch as congregations from churches and synagogues and mosques around Atlanta act as God’s hands in our community, streaming from Turner Field. I am humbled by the amazing outpouring of love I see from the incredible group of people who raised me–the people who bought a fuzzy hat from a dreamer all those years ago.

I hope my story is evidence of what an awesome impact Hunger Walk has on so many communities around Atlanta.

There’s still time to register for this year’s Hunger Walk/Run on March 13th at Turner Field in Atlanta.  Click here to register.

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LSG Volunteer, Ignatian Volunteer Corps Member Mary Maio Lends a Hand, Creates Smiles

LSG volunteer Mary Maio helped create hundreds of smiles across Georgia this December.  Through her volunteer work with LSG's Hope Tree, many children in need were able to unwrap a Christmas gift picked out just for them.

A former microbiologist and past owner of her own medical transcription company, Mary found her way to LSG through the Atlanta chapter of the Ignatian Volunteer Corps, a volunteer group that provides men and women, mostly retirement age, with the opportunity to use their experience and talents to serve a nonprofit in need of help.

Since she started working with LSG last May, Mary has been integral to the success of many of our special events.  Mary helped procure and organize hundreds of silent auction items for our Heroes of Hope Gala and Savannah Golf Tournament.  This spring, she'll be helping out with other events like Hunger Walk/Run, the Prayer Breakfast and Low Country Pie Festival in Savannah.

“Working in LSG's development department has been a rewarding experience," says Mary.  "Witnessing the generosity of others has been really eye-opening.  In fundraising, we’re not often working face-to-face with the needy, but it feels good to know that by collecting donations and raising money, it makes that work possible.”

Without Mary’s behind-the-scenes work with Hope Tree, LSG wouldn’t have been able to provide for as many families in 2015. Part of her role was compiling the many wish lists from our Foster Care children and helping recruit churches and individuals to buy the gifts.

“Reading the wish lists of the children in Foster Care, and then watching the gifts pour in from our generous donors and seeing a whole office packed full of gifts was incredible," says Mary.  "Working at LSG has really made me aware of the different vulnerable populations that need our support. I was happy to be a part of providing so many refugees – who come from mostly warm climates – with a coat for the winter and so many children in Foster Care with what might be their only gift this year."

Prior to her volunteer work with Ignatian Volunteer Corps and Lutheran Services of Georgia, Mary spent much of her adult life exploring different areas of the United States as she and her husband Doug moved around the country as he was transferred for work. Originally from Louisiana, Mary and her husband moved between New York, Colorado, California, Georgia, and New Jersey over the years.  When it came time to retire in 2001, the couple chose Roswell to settle in.

She says that people are often surprised to learn that her background is not in fundraising, but she hopes others will be inspired by her to learn new skills and use their talents in new ways in retirement or a mid-life career change.

Can you help us?

LSG relies on volunteers like Mary.  Without volunteers, the many programs and services we offer just wouldn't be possible.  For information on volunteering, click here.  If you are interested in donating an item for a silent auction for our Pie Festival or Heroes of Hope gala, click to email Mary.

Adoption Clients Surprise LSG Staff at Fundraiser

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While participating in a recent fundraiser at Glory Haus, a decorative accessories retailer in Marietta, Georgia, LSG’s Rome staff received a surprise visit.  On January 22, the LSG Rome staff gathered at the shop for the Purchase for a Purpose fundraiser.  Though the cold, rainy day brought less than ideal weather conditions, shoppers were still eager to get their hands on the fun, unique inspirational home and holiday items that Glory Haus stocks.

While our staff was busy welcoming and assisting customers and sharing information about LSG’s programs, they were approached by a mother-daughter couple.  The two introduced themselves as Jean and Jordan.  Jean, the mother, rested her hand on Jordan’s shoulder as she told us, “She’s from Lutheran.”  Jean and Jordan continued, explaining that Jordan and her brother were adopted through LSG when they were young children.

Now 26 years old, Jordan tells her adoption story with pride.  Always open and honest with her about her adoption, the family still celebrates her adoption day each year.  Jordan revealed her love and appreciation for her parents, their support, and their openness. She expressed her gratitude for LSG and what the agency does for children, adults, and families in need in Georgia communities.

Jordan is now a youth minister, and regularly shares her adoption story as part of her testimony to the individuals she serves.

It was wonderful meeting  Jean and Jordan! We are so grateful to them for sharing their story and for supporting Purchase For A Purpose and shopping specifically that day to support LSG.

In many ways, it was a testament of the lasting impact LSG has on the lives of children, adults and families.  Our surprise visitors touched our hearts and reminded us of the positive ripple effect in the work we do.

Hunger Walk/Run Helps LSG Foster Children

The hunger statistics from around Georgia are staggering. 28.2 percent of Georgia's children live in “food insecure homes” – that means homes where they can’t be sure when or where they’ll get their next meal. Many populations that Lutheran Services of Georgia serves are deeply impacted by hunger in their daily lives.  LSG helps make sure that these families have the food they need, and the money raised through Hunger Walk helps make it possible.

How Hunger Affects Our Foster Families

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Bringing in a foster child, particularly a medically fragile child or a child with special needs, is often more costly than the foster family may have anticipated. While families receive a stipend for opening their home to a foster child, it is sometimes not enough to cover all of the child’s expenses.  Families are impacted when a child requires multiple trips a week to the doctor or around-the-clock care that prevents the foster parent from working.  When children enter foster care due to neglect, the child may come to the foster home malnourished and with a host of medical problems that require a special, costly diet.

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Money that LSG raises through Hunger Walk helps provide food assistance to these children. That support allows the foster parents to concentrate on creating a secure environment and ensuring the best care possible for the child.

Hunger Walk funds go toward providing nutritional support for foster families, either directly through supplying food items or by providing grocery store gift cards to help them stretch their food budget.

In addition to supporting LSG’s own programs – foster care, refugee and immigration services, adoption, family intervention services and FACES (adults with developmental disabilities), a portion of the funds raised through the Hunger Walk/Run are given back to local Lutheran congregations to use in their own hunger relief programs, including non-perishable food pantries, bag lunch ministries,  Thanksgiving food boxes and monthly Saturday hot meal programs.

Register to Walk Today

Help Lutheran Services of Georgia as we work to fight hunger in Atlanta by registering for the 2016 Hunger Walk/Run.  On March 13, more than 15,000 walkers and runners will come together at Turner Field for a family-friendly, fun-filled afternoon.  Gates will open at noon, so come early and enjoy live music and tasty eats from some of the city's best food trucks.  At 2:00 p.m., the walk/run will begin and take participants through historic downtown Atlanta and around the state Capitol. Click here sign up.  Start your own team with your friends, family, coworkers or congregation, or join an existing team.

Help us make sure foster families, and all our clients, receive the support they need. Register today!

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We Welcome Refugees to Georgia

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On January 18, more than 200 volunteers from the Atlanta area gathered in the recreation hall of Rock of Ages Lutheran Church in Stone Mountain to pack more than 4,000 pounds of rice for refugees recently resettled by LSG.  As they mingled and waited for the rice packing to begin, many volunteers made signs, sharing their reasons for supporting refugees in Georgia and explaining why they choose to spend their day off from work or school as a day of service.

we welcome refugees because we can

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In a little over an hour, the hard-working volunteers – who ranged from groups of middle schoolers to individuals and families to groups of adults from local congregations - re-packaged the 25 and 50 pound bags of rice into smaller family-sized bags to be distributed to refugee families.

close up of rice for refugees

So, Why Rice? 

A bag of rice may seem like a strange welcome gift, but to those entering a brand new country with few resources and no immediate means to secure their family’s next meal, rice can be more than just food.  Rice, often a central part of the diets of many refugees, can bring a feeling of comfort and security in a tumultuous period of their life.  When refugees step off a plane at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport to begin their new life in the United States, they’re often exhausted and overwhelmed from their journey and the long waiting period spent in a refugee camp.  They are unsure of what the next hours and days will bring.  Lutheran Services of Georgia provides them with food, shelter, clothing, cultural information, and other support in the first weeks in America, setting them up for to be self-sufficient and contributing members of their communities.

volunteers pack rice for refugees

How We Help.

Lutheran Services of Georgia currently resettles over 600 refugee clients each year in the Atlanta and Savannah areas. In 2015, LSG resettled refugees from 14 countries: Afghanistan, Bhutan, Burma, Central African Republic, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iraq, Burundi, Sri Lanka, Somalia, Sudan, Indonesia, Iran, and the Ukraine.

packing rice for refugees

LSG is there to secure housing for refugees, help refugees find their first job, and assist refugees in getting acclimated to life in Georgia. LSG supports refugees as they apply for important documents, including social security and Georgia ID cards, enrolls refugee children in school, and helps refugees select a primary care physician. LSG provides cultural orientation covering essential aspects of U.S. culture, including U.S. law, medical and educational systems, transportation, banking, and more. With help from organizations like LSG, more than 80 percent of newly arrived refugees in Georgia became completely self-sufficient within 180 days (source: CRSA).

group packs rice for refugees

In addition, LSG’s Savannah office provides additional support for refugee children through the Refugee School Impact Program, launched in spring of 2015. This program aims to improve the academic performance and social adjustment of refugee children. LSG’s School Liaison and a team of volunteers support families through tutoring, individualized case management, regular assessments, and meetings with parents, teachers, and school administration.

We need your help.

refugees sign live with love, not fear

LSG relies on volunteers and donors to help the many families in need in Georgia.

Pastor Stephen Friedrich of Lutheran Church of the Resurrection in Marietta, Ga. shared his reason for volunteering:

"Participating in the MLK Day of Service with LSG was a tangible way for me to put my Christian faith into action. We believe that God's kingdom is a place where all are fed and welcomed. Yesterday I was part of a group working with God for his kingdom right in our midst. For me, there is no greater joy!"

Refugee resettlement is only a portion of what we do and who we serve.We help find homes for children through Foster Care and Adoption.  We keep families together who at risk of separation through our Family Intervention Services.  LSG provides disaster relief when needed.  If you are interested in volunteering with Lutheran Service of Georgia, please contact us at 404-875-0201 or click here to get involved.

Lutheran MLK Day of Service

Lutheran MLK Day of ServiceMonday, January 18, 2016 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM Rock of Ages Lutheran Church Stone Mountain

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Life's most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others? -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Join volunteers from around Metro Atlanta to serve on the national day of service to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Against what seemed like impossible odds, Dr. King and scores of his fellow citizens of all races came together and, ultimately, helped bend the moral arc of the universe toward justice. The upcoming commemoration of the MLK Day of Service on Monday, January 18 is an opportunity to remember that history and re-commit ourselves as citizens by volunteering in service to one another.

The Lutheran MLK Day of Service is co-sponsored by the Lutheran Theological Center of Atlanta and the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA and it benefits refugees and immigrants served by Lutheran Services of Georgia. Join others to donate and pack rice and other staple food items to stock the pantries of newly arrived refugees resettled by LSG in Georgia. Also come to engage in learning and action about how people from all faiths can help welcome refugees from around the world.

Any questions? Email Melanie Johnson at mjohnson@lsga.org

REGISTER HERE for the Lutheran MLK Day of Service.

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Volunteers package rice for newly arrived refugee families at the 2015 Lutheran MLK Day of Service.

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Thank You, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church!

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

Thanks to our friends at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church who delivered Hope Tree Shoe Boxes for refugee children made by their congregation, and have been making the shoe boxes for refugee children for many Christmases!

They delivered to Redeemer Lutheran Church, Atlanta, who also played a big role in facilitating Hope Tree by providing space for gifts to be sorted, organized and delivered to refugee children and families that LSG works with in Clarkston.

Little Helpers + Hope Tree Make A Merry Christmas for Refugees

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Thank you to our friends from Little Helpers, who bought and delivered gifts for all members of 2 refugee families as part of our Hope Tree program, in which volunteers purchase gifts for refugee children in need. This was an especially significant experience for the group, as some members were refugees themselves.

Here’s what Tran Smith, who organizes the Atlanta Little Helpers group, said about the experience:

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“Our family volunteer group Little Helpers wanted to reach out to people in need this holiday, but participating in the LSG's Hope Tree for Refugees was more fulfilling and important than just that. Some of the volunteers were also refugees who came to this country seeking freedom and finding much support and love. Tears flowed as some of us experienced that "full circle moment" when we were face to face with the families who simply asked for winter clothes and a large pot to cook meals this holiday.  Although there was a language barrier, we had no trouble communicating because it was out of respect and love that we were brought together. A big thanks to LSG for allowing us to have this opportunity and for doing such great work to help others achieve their independence."

Hope Tree

Little Helpers is a program that works with young people to help them understand the value of volunteering, recognize the blessings in their lives, broaden their community perspective and feel the sense of accomplishment received from lending a helping hand. Ultimately, the goal of the program is to raise confident children who incorporate community service into their lives on a regular basis.

Little Helpers was created in Memphis, but today has chapters across the country including the Rochester, NY; Mooresville/Charlotte, NC; Denver, CO; Atlanta, GA and Tampa/St. Pete, FL.

Hope Tree refugee

Hope Tree

Give the Gift of Home this Christmas

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We go home for the holidays to be reminded of the unconditional love and security we felt as children, to wrap our arms around the people we love and to feel their arms wrapped around us. We go home to strengthen the bonds that tie us to those who raised us, those we grew up with and eventually, those we raised. Family is home, and a blessing that is always with us, and always growing. But not everyone has been blessed with a family, or a place to call home, yet.

This Christmas, you can give the most meaningful and life-changing gift of all: the gift of home. Our mission is to find, strengthen, and create homes for people in need throughout Georgia. You can make that mission possible by contributing to our work, or to a specific program, today.

Give to LSG Today and Help Bring People Home

National Adoption Month

national adoption month

National Adoption Month is recognized across the country as a way to spread awareness of of the many children who wait in the foster care system for their forever families. Through our adoptions program, Lutheran Services of Georgia works with children who are considered to be special needs. This means that they are older, part of a sibling group, or that they have developmental, behavioral, or physical difficulties. We are blessed to work with these exceptional children and the incredible families who welcome them home.

As an agency, we work with families who have expressed an interest in adopting and have been referred to our program to get assistance. Many families who choose to adopt do not have birth children, but others do and have simply decided to continue expanding their family by adopting. The children we work with come from all over Georgia, and oftentimes prospective parents will travel all the way across the state to meet with them.

Once families and children meet, a wonderful, unmistakable bond begins to form. These children, many who have overcome unimaginably difficult situations, become part of their new families, and are welcomed as though they have been in the family all along. Even the extended family members and support systems start calling the children their grandchildren, nieces, nephews, etc. Most of the children who are adopted have experienced some form of abuse and have experienced more in their young lives than any adult can begin to imagine, but when they become part of a family, they begin to understand that they are safe, loved, and supported—forever.

Oftentimes a loving, permanent home is the difference between a child who is depressed, agitated, and destructive, and a child who is just the opposite. The families we work with take the time to get to understand the needs of each child individually,  and though they know that it will not always be easy, do not give up despite challenges. These families know that children need love and to know that someone is there for them regardless of what they’ve been through.

Sometimes when parents learn about the difficulties that their adoptive children have faced, it can seem like a risk to make the commitment to welcome them as a permanent part of their family. However, the parents that we work with are truly exceptional, compassionate, and empathetic people who see these children for what they really are and truly want to give them  the love and support that every child deserves.

This month, we have been able to finalize seven adoptions. Each of these families took the time to understand that these children are more than what they read about them on paper. Adoption is a lifelong commitment to a child as if the child was one’s birth child. The child and adoptive family need ongoing support to process the impact of adoption, and Lutheran Services of Georgia is that support for both the family and the child, and we are here even when the ink has dried on the final adoption court order!

National Adoption Day

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National Adoption Day falls on November 21, and is a national effort to raise awareness of the over 100,000 children waiting in foster care for their forever families to find them. The day is sponsored by four wonderful organizations: Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, The Alliance for Children’s Rights, and Children’s Action Network. Since its inception in 2000, National Adoption Day has helped nearly 54,500 children find their forever families. LSG specializes in finding homes for special needs children, which means children that can be more difficult to place due to age, being part of a sibling group, or having a disability. We believe every child is adoptable and every child is special, and work with some incredible families and children. In recognition of this day, Shamae Crosswhite has shared her family's story, below.

First and foremost, I would like to thank the staff at Lutheran Services of Georgia for helping us find our missing pieces through adoption. My husband and I were trying to start our family the natural way, but unfortunately we did not have success. Adoption was always an option for us, so we decided moved the timetable up.

My husband and I started the adoption process in December 2013. I will never forget the day I went to our local DFACS office for an informational session. We arrived on time and were very anxious to learn more about the adoption process. The first words out of the case manager’s mouth were “we are not accepting applications for adoption at this time.” Once I heard those words, I don’t remember hearing anything else that was mentioned--my heart was broken. I remember walking out of the office crying, leaving my husband behind to speak with the case manager. He came out the office, hugged me tight and told me everything will work out. He said that the case manager gave him a phone number to an agency that handles adoption. That agency was Lutheran Services of Georgia.

I knew I didn’t want to give up, so I called the number the very next day. We were scheduled for the next available informational session which was only two days away. Once we attended the informational session at LSG, we knew this was the place for us; it just felt right. That night, we decided that we definitely wanted to move forward with the process and potentially have a sibling group.

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In January 2014, we completed all the paperwork to attend the classes. We ended up completing our final classes in June. And in July, LSG conducted our home study. By September 2014, we were approved by the state and LSG to be matched with a child. I remember attending an adoption quarterly meeting and someone mentioned creating an adoption flyer that we could send to the other case managers and people we knew for potential matches. With the exception of our parents, we did not want to tell our family or friends that we were going through the process.

Well, after attending the quarterly meeting we realized that we should tell more people as we felt the meeting encouraged us to share our story. Once we made that decision, I emailed everyone in my contact list the flyer. Low and behold, a friend of ours knew a case manager and she forwarded the email to her. Would you believe that is how we find out about two beautiful kids? We ended up receiving a phone call from Ms. Terrell about the possible match and I cried. There were so many additional personal issues we were also dealing with during this time, but this news restored me. I believed, no, I knew this was God’s doing. He waited for the perfect time to provide us with two children who needed us just as much as we needed them.

They sent the file over for us to read. Just reading their story, word after word, we knew they were for us. I remember attending the meeting to sign papers to move forward with the match. We signed the papers and then I asked, “Can I see a picture of them?” I didn’t have to see a picture to know they were my babies; a 5 year old girl and 8 year old boy. We met them for the very first time on December 5, 2014. I will never forget that visit. I wanted to take them home and keep them safe because they were MY children! They are the most affectionate children I know. They were officially placed with us on January 12, 2014. And after numerous home visits, we finalized the adoption July 7, 2015.

I will never say this process was easy, but it wasn’t a huge battle. To those contemplating adoption, I leave you with this advice: First, be patient. Everything happens in due time.  Second, share the process with family and friends because you never know who they know or how they can help. Third, love all the kids with an unequivocal, unconditional love no matter their situation. Fourth, utilize Lutheran Services of Georgia at all avenues. They have a plethora of information. Last but not least, keep the faith.

How Should We Respond to the Refugee Crisis in Light of the Paris and Beirut Attacks?

The past five days have been really painful for humanity. The recent attacks in Paris and Beirut, not to mention the countless acts of violence in multiple places around the world have shocked and alarmed us. We are more connected than in any other time of human history, through 24/7 media outlets and social media, we know instantly what’s going on around the world.

Refugee family mother and daughter

These events are scary for everyone. And in our fear, and in the uncertainty around us, and especially in the instantaneous ways we receive information, reactions are swift. So as a result, there has been significant backlash against Syrian refugees, and in some cases, refugees in general. We at Lutheran Services of Georgia have been serving refugees for over thirty years, so we have seen first hand the incredible contributions of refugees in Georgia. Our clients and even some of our staff are a perfect testimony of that, many of them fled violence and war and are now U.S citizens, working to serve their community. We do understand the concerns that people have expressed, so I wanted to address some of the key questions that have been posed:

1. What is a Refugee anyway? According to the United Nations, a refugee is someone who "owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality, and is unable to, or owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country." Essentially, refugees have fled violence or persecution and are unable to return to their home country.
2. How are refugees processed? Are there security risks?  The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) — or occasionally a U.S. embassy or another non-governmental organization (NGO) — determines which refugees (about 1 percent) should be resettled, which can take four to 10 months.  Once a case is referred from the UNHCR to the United States, a refugee undergoes a multi-layered security screening process that could take several rounds, an in-person interview with Department of State personnel, approval by the Department of Homeland Security, medical screening, a match with a sponsor agency, "cultural orientation" classes, and final security screening. This all happens before a refugee ever gets onto American soil. The United States handpicks the refugees who resettle here, and they go through multiple layers of security checks, making them the most thoroughly vetted group of people who come to the United States. Security screenings are rigorous and involve the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, the Department of Defense and multiple intelligence agencies. Before a refugee can even be considered to come to the U.S., he or she must first be determined to be eligible. The security process takes at least 18 to 24 months.
3. But what about Paris? The European process is different from the process of vetting in the United States. As mentioned above, the security screening process is very stringent.  Refugees are the most scrutinized and screened individuals to enter the United States. The robust and multi-layered series of security checks include biometrics, medical screenings, interagency intelligence sharing, and in-person interviews with Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officials are an extraordinary tool to ensure that the refugees we seek to protect will not pose a safety threat to the United States.
4. How many refugees are coming to the United States? Aren’t they a financial drain on the tax payers? The number of refugees admitted into the United States from all countries has averaged between 50,000 and 85,000 in recent years. For this coming fiscal year, the total number estimated was 85,000, an increase in 10,000 from the previous year. In Georgia, 82% of refugees are self sufficient, working and paying their own expenses after six months in the United States. Refugees contribute to the American economy in great ways.
5. Is it true that only Muslim refugees are coming to the United States? What about only Syrian Men? They’re the only pictures I see. The United States resettles refugees of all faiths. Keeping some Syrian refugees out of this country based on their religion sends the wrong message to the rest of the world about who we are as Americans. We are a welcoming country with a religiously diverse society and our resettlement program should continue to reflect this. To not do so only feeds into ISIS’ propaganda and makes us all less safe. And in regards to gender, 76% of the refugees who have fled violence in Syria are women and children. For Lutheran Services of Georgia, in the federal fiscal year that just ended on September 30th, 76.5% of our clients were women and children. 47% of our clients were Christian, 13% were Buddhist or Hindu, and 40% were Muslim. We serve all faiths through the resettlement program.

Ultimately, we at LSG believe in bringing people home and creating welcome. We have a rich history as an organization in serving the vulnerable. And we have a rich history as a nation of being a country of immigrants, of people who escaped persecution in search for new futures. We hope you will join us as we welcome refugees to Georgia.

Thank You for Supporting LSG for GA Gives Day!

Special thanks to all of you who donated to Lutheran Services of Georgia on November 12th in celebration of Georgia Gives Day. Thanks to YOU, we raised over $6,350 and we were also approved to receive additional matching funding from the SunTrust Financial Wellness Challenge.

We appreciate our many donors who joined us in working to help find, strengthen and create homes for those we serve. Thank you!

Celebrate National Adoption Month with LSG Rome!

November is National Adoption Month! National Adoption Month is recognized each year to raise awareness of adoption throughout the country, to challenge myths about adoption, and to celebrate the love and support that is shared between adoptive families and their children.

This year, through our Specialized Foster Care program in Rome, we have matched many exceptional children with their forever families, who have opened their homes and welcomed them as their own. We think this incredible gift is something to celebrate!

We will be hosting an adoption appreciation pizza party to celebrate all of the life-changing connections that have been made between adoptive families and their children. We are so grateful for each family that has chosen to partner with us to start or expand their families, and we invite them to join us in celebration this Saturday:

LSG Adoption Appreciation Party Date: Saturday, November 7th Time: 11:30am-2:30pm Place: Mellow Mushroom              238 Broad St, Rome, GA 30161

The party is sure to be lots of fun, and a great way for children to socialize and make new friends, so please don’t miss it! We will have lots of fun activities for the kids and plenty of pizza and snacks for everyone. We encourage parents to bring their entire families so that they can get to know other families like theirs, and share stories and support with one another.

We know that the adoption process can be long, and that it is not always easy; however, to parents who have completed the process and gotten to welcome their child or children home, we say this: you did it! You not only changed the life of a child who longed for love and support, but you navigated a complicated process and came out on the other end as a stronger family with a wonderful addition.

We are so grateful for your partnership and the incredible gift that you have given, so please join us in celebrating your family!

One Week Until GA Gives Day!

November 12 is Georgia Gives Day, and Lutheran Services of Georgia needs your help! LSG is committed to raising $10,000 in one 24-hour period to support individuals and families in need throughout Georgia. On November 12, visit our Georgia Gives profile to donate and help us win additional funding only available on that day. You can also increase your Georgia Gives impact by the following:

POWER HOURS

By making your GA Gives donation at specific times throughout the day, you increase LSG's chances of winning "Power Hour" prizes. Please consider giving during the following hours: 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

BECOME A FUNDRAISER

There's still time to become a GA Gives fundraiser for us! Go to our Georgia Gives profile and click "Become a Fundraiser" to create your own profile. Use your profile to ask friends and family to support LSG. It's a great way to show how much you love LSG and inspire others to give. If you need help setting up your profile, click here.

GIVE TODAY

It's not too early to donate to LSG's Georgia Gives page! Click here to give now.

Thank you for supporting LSG! For more information about Georgia Gives Day, contact Allison Hood at ahood@lsga.org or 404-591-7067. You can also contact Allison if you'd like to make an offline donation that day.

Support LSG on Georgia Gives Day!

November 12 is Georgia Gives Day and LSG needs your help!

Georgia Gives Day brings the state together as one community to raise as much money and awareness as possible for Georgia nonprofits in one 24-hour flash mob of giving. LSG is committed to raise $10,000 to serve children, adults, and families in need throughout Georgia. We can't do it alone! Here are three big ways you can help us reach our goal.

GIVE

On November 12, please go to our Georgia Gives profile and donate! Afterwards, tell your friends by sharing our profile via e-mail or social media. Donations are accepted through the Georgia Gives platform all year long, but donating on November 12 allows LSG to compete for additional funding only available on that date.

FUNDRAISE

Become a personal GA Gives fundraiser for us! Go to our Georgia Gives profile and click "Become a Fundraiser" to create your own profile. Use your profile to ask friends and family to support LSG. It's a great way to show how much you love LSG and inspire others to give. If you need help setting up your profile, click here for step-by-step instructions.

AMPLIFY

Help us spread the word about our participation in Georgia Gives Day! Share the link to our profile via social media and e-mail. You can also download our promotional materials:

• LSG Georgia Gives Save the Date Card
• LSG Georgia Gives Day Bulletin Insert

For more information about Georgia Gives Day,  contact Allison Hood at ahood@lsga.org or 404-591-7067

Reuniting the Denver Family

After an accident in their home, Mr. and Mrs. Denver's infant daughter was removed and placed in foster care by the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS). DFCS referred the family to LSG's Family Intervention Services (FIS) program. LSG staff worked closely with the Denvers to develop a plan for the parents to complete so their daughter could return to a safe home.

Mr. and Mrs. Denver were eager to complete their case plan as soon as possible. LSG's Supervised Family Visitation allowed the Denvers to visit with their daughter three times a week in a comfortable setting. Twice a week, the Denvers took LSG's SafeCare Parenting classes, where they learned skills to better care for their daughter. Because of their determination, they moved through the program quickly. Overjoyed, the family welcomed their daughter back home in December 2014, just in time for Christmas.

Despite the difficult circumstances, the Denver family is grateful for LSG's Family Intervention Services. Mrs. Denver said, "The Supervised Visitation program was good for us. We got a lot of support. Everyone was really nice and understanding of how difficult the situation was for us. It was nice to not feel guilty or judged. The SafeCare Parenting Program was also good for us, especially since this was our first child. We are at a time where everything our baby does could be dangerous. I use the skills from the parenting classes every day. I'd recommend SafeCare for people even if they were not required to take it. We are appreciative of the services we received."

For more information about Family Intervention Services, click here or contact Jacqui Williams at jwilliams@lsga.org.

LSG's Refugee School Impact Program Helps Refugee Students Succeed

Lutheran Services of Georgia is excited to announce that the Georgia Department of Human Services Refugee Programs Unit has renewed our Refugee School Impact Grant for the 2015-2016 school year!  This grant supports LSG's Refugee School Impact program, launched in the spring of 2015 to serve refugee students, their families, and their schools in Savannah.

The Refugee School Impact program aims to improve the academic performance and social adjustment of refugee children. Refugee students face unique challenges in U.S. schools. School staffmay lack the cultural knowledge and resources necessary to support refugee families.  Many refugee children and parents need help improving their English skills to fully navigate the school system. Transportation can be another obstacle, since getting the child signed up to take the school bus can be a long process. Refugees do not have cars when they arrive, so the child often has no alternate way to get to school.

In the spring of 2015, LSG hired Christy Seifert to serve as School Liaison between refugee families, schools, and LSG. Christy conducts interviews with the child and parent to learn about the child's needs, hopes, and dreams. She then uses this information to create Individualized Service Plans that center the child's specific academic and social needs.

Christy is there from the very beginning, enrolling kids in school, registering them for free lunch, teaching them how to ride the bus, and locating and providing school supplies. Throughout the school year, Christy and a team of volunteers support families through tutoring and regular meetings with parents, teachers, and school administration. Three times a year, Christy assesses refugee student improvement in math, reading, and English.

Christy enjoys her work as the School Liaison. She said, "Having lived in foreign countries myself, I know how difficult cultural adjustments can be. I love being able to serve families and help make their transition into American life as smooth as possible. I love the excitement of new students as they watch their improvement on their assessments. I love watching parents get excited about their kids learning. I love being part of dreams coming true."

Christy has seen how, with a little extra help, refugee children can thrive in their new schools. She has seen a lot of progress in the children she serves and shared this story: "There is a child in our program that dreams BIG! He wants to be an astronaut. He loves to study science and is very driven. This child is always asking questions about history and loves to process all he is learning."

LSG's Refugee School Impact program supports refugees along a continuum of care. Parents may receive services through LSG's Family Intervention Services and refugee employment programs. LSG also connects refugees with organizations that offer additional support, including English language instruction for parents, tutoring, summer camp experiences for children, and more.

LSG's Refugee School Impact program served 13 children in the 2014-2015 school year and anticipates serving 24 children this year. LSG thanks the Office of Refugee Resettlement for renewing our Refugee School Impact Grant and is looking forward to another great school year.

To learn more about the Refugee School Impact program, contact Christy Seifert at cseifert@lsga.org.