To Our LCSNW Family,

This is an unprecedented time for all of us. At Lutheran Community Services Northwest (LCSNW), our mission is centered around health, justice and hope. Our main priority is to continue serving our more than 30,000 clients while keeping our staff and families safe. This will be our biggest challenge, and we will need your help.

We are closely following this quickly evolving situation and the recommendations from the CDC, WHO, and our local and federal governments. We take our role in countering the spread of COVID-19 very seriously, and we are committed to exercising leadership in the communities we serve. With this in mind, we have made the difficult, but necessary, decision to postpone and/or cancel our upcoming fundraising and community events.

In almost 100 years of service to communities, our resolve and resilience have been tested through a host of challenges. No matter the hardship, we have remained steadfast in our commitment to the most vulnerable in our communities. That will not change. As we make shifts in our business practices to protect our staff, clients and contractors, we will innovate to meet the most pressing needs of those we serve.

This public health crisis impacts those we serve in many ways:

• Seniors – For isolated seniors, non-urgent doctor’s appointments may be canceled, but they still need help with tasks like filling prescription medications and getting groceries. We are committed to providing ongoing support and companionship. We must also keep our staff members and volunteers safe and healthy.
• Refugees – Many refugees already face income instability and employment challenges. Existing hardships are only exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis. We continue to provide support and stability, as needs increase.
• Children & Families – School districts in most of our service areas have now cancelled classes for periods ranging from two weeks to one month or more. LCSNW responds quickly to the many unexpected needs when children are at home and parents cannot work. For families served by our behavioral health programs, we are using telehealth solutions as an alternative to in-person clinical appointments.

As we continue to meet these urgent needs, we ask for your continued partnership. We have established an LCSNW COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund. You may donate to support these populations, as well as help our staff as they meet the needs of clients. This COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund page will be updated frequently as specific needs are identified.

In Health, Justice and Hope,

David Duea                                         Laura Gifford

President and CEO                             LCSNW Board President