Our Stories
LCSNW substance use disorder counselor reflects on his own recovery
September is National Recovery Month. It celebrates the gains made by those in substance use recovery. Larry Jay Johnson joined LCSNW in March 2022. He is a Behavioral Health Program Supervisor in our Multicultural Community Services (Portland) district. Here he...
From child refugee to Lutheran pastor: Emillie’s first welcome to America came from LCSNW
Where Emillie Binja is from, relationships are more valuable than time. Emillie grew up in a refugee camp in Uganda after fleeing the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo with her family at age 8. She was 24 when she and her three brothers and mother arrived in...
Mother and son opened their Vancouver home to refugees; you can do the same
LCSNW is seeking temporary host homes for refugees. For more information about Vancouver placements, contact Khalid Barzgar, kbarzgar@lcsnw.org or 360-787-4737. For the Portland area, contact Fiona Evans, fevans@lcsnw.org or 503-731-9590. For the Puget Sound area, go...
Disability lost its grip, and she found LCSNW ‘dream job’ in Portland area
Every LCSNW team member has a job-search story filled with unique challenges. Catherine Hill, a recently hired Mental Health Clinician, completed a long journey in which she faced the adversity of being legally blind. But the route was made smoother by Catherine’s...
Spokane clinician’s idea blooms into therapy for young LCSNW clients
One small seedling blossomed into more than 75 plant starts in an unusual place – an LCSNW counseling office in Spokane. Clinician Ryan Marsh had the idea to offer his young clients the chance to start a plant and follow its growth. The project has brought a world of...
Childhood calling fulfilled: New LCSNW Board Member goes into full-time ministry
When people enter their 50s and advance toward their 60s, many start turning their thoughts to retirement. Not Carla Spaccarotelli. She embarked on a new education, a new career and the fulfillment of a calling she’s felt since childhood. She recently completed her...
Spokane LCSNW Mental Health Clinician savors ‘aha moments’ for child and family clients
While the pandemic affected every corner of our lives, few professions were impacted more than mental health practitioners. During Mental Health Awareness Month in May, we talked with Kendall Watson, a Clinician with LCSNW in Spokane. She specializes in Sexual Assault...
