Our Stories

Nora Foster Tapped to Lead LCS in Klamath Falls

by Steve Haviland | Jun 3, 2021 | Behavioral Health

Four years ago, Bob Pickel called managers into his Klamath Falls office. He was challenged to build a succession plan and asked if anyone was interested in becoming the associate district director. Nora Foster agreed to try it. “At first, I didn’t want to be the...

Marking a Century of Service: LCS Northwest and United Way of Pierce County

by Louise McGrody | May 11, 2021 | Centennial

Two time-honored Puget Sound organizations mark their 100th anniversaries this year: Lutheran Community Services Northwest and United Way of Pierce County. Our Chief Development Officer Elliot Stockstad sat down with Dona Ponepinto, President & CEO of...

Volunteers Help Relaunch Boise Services

by Steve Haviland | May 4, 2021 | Child Welfare, Family Support

All volunteers make a difference. Some are a necessity with certain human services. Volunteers made it possible to relaunch our services in Idaho. As of April 1, 2021, LCS Northwest re-established our Idaho services with the start of Safe Families for Children in...

Building a Future for Refugee Youth

by Steve Haviland | Apr 23, 2021 | Child Welfare, Refugees & Immigrants

With a surge of youth trying to seek asylum in the United States at the Mexican border, Lutheran Community Service Northwest works to be part of the solution. We support Unaccompanied Refugees Minors (URM) and place them in foster care in the Seattle and Spokane...

Bob Pickel Ending Long Run at LCS Northwest

by Steve Haviland | Apr 14, 2021 | Behavioral Health

After a long career, one often thinks of riding off into the sunset. Not Bob Pickel. “I look at it as a sunrise – the start of a new day.” Bob said. After 25 years as Director of Lutheran Community Services (LCS) Northwest in Klamath Falls, Pickel is calling it a...

Finding ‘Meaningful Work’ at LCS Northwest

by Steve Haviland | Apr 13, 2021 | Centennial

This is the third article in our Centennial Series. We feature a current employee who found social work as part of his Lutheran faith. Our founders in 1921 were a group of Lutherans who came together to help people who were struggling. While LCS is turning 100, our...

Former LCS employee Kayse Jama Named to Oregon State Senate

by Steve Haviland | Mar 18, 2021 | Refugees & Immigrants

Congratulations to former LCS Northwest employee Kayse Jama for being named to the Oregon State Senate representing Multnomah County, East Portland and Clackamas County. Kayse is a Somali immigrant who fled his war-torn country to become a prominent community...

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