Lutheran World Relief grant to help abused children
March 2005

Austin - The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod World Relief and Human Care has given $38,700 to build volunteer support and improve the lives of abused and neglected children.

The grant helps underwrites volunteer coordinators at the five residential treatment centers in Texas and Louisiana operated by Lutheran Social Services, which serve about 550 troubled and abused children annually.

Volunteers make a difference by organizing activities and serving as adult role models for the children. Children’s behavior, academic achievement and emotional and spiritual health improve significantly when volunteers interact with them.

"Volunteers are a critical part of the care we provide to troubled children," said Mark Minick, LSS vice president for agency advancement. "They serve as mentors, tutors and prayer partners. They give birthday parties and barbecues and make these children feel loved. They provide the margin of difference that improves the quality of care the children receive."

"Volunteer coordinators will harness the energy and enthusiasm of our volunteers and making it a positive experience for everyone," said Minick. "We’ve found that volunteers are our best ambassadors for getting the word out about our ministries."

Lutheran Social Services is the social service arm of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. LSS annually serves more than 25,000 children, elderly and poor in Texas and Louisiana regardless of religious beliefs, ethnicity, gender or age. Its affiliated ministries include children’s residential treatment, therapeutic foster care, adoption, health care and retirement centers, emergency assistance, adult day care and disaster response.