Our Stories
Taking a Different Path to the American Dream
Jean Paul Mugisha embodies the American dream. By studying and working hard, he has made a better life for himself and his family. What makes Jean Paul’s dream unique is he’s spent most of his life in a refugee camp.Born in the Congo, Jean Paul’s family fled violence...
LJ Nelson: Her Life and Legacy at LCS
Many people remember the Christmas sweaters she started wearing the day after Halloween. Others recall the Looney Tunes knick-knacks that covered her office. We all remember her laughter and the smile she offered to everyone.LJ Nelson passed away unexpectedly on...
Taking on Life’s Challenges in the Tri-Cities
If you met me on the street, you’d experience a warm person who would greet you with a smile. But underneath, I struggle.I was born addicted to cocaine. At six weeks old, I was put up for adoption and my angel in disguise, Lendah, became my mother. We lived in a small...
Out of Tragedy Comes Hope
Some anniversaries you celebrate, and others you reflect. This is about three women who recently reflected on an anniversary that touched their lives.Peggy Ray, Lori Morgan and Caroline Neal work for LCS Northwest at the Arlington Community Resource Center. They...
Collaborating for health, justice and hope
It’s not uncommon for us to collaborate across services to help our clients stabilize their lives and find hope. Meet Ferenc Marsalik. He arrived in the US 30 years ago as a political refugee from Hungary. He worked for many years in the Seattle area until an injury...
Breaking Down Barriers to Behavioral Health in Prineville
Outfitted in her pink Converse sneakers, Behavioral Interventionist Mia Mikelic can’t wait to start her day at Barnes Butte Elementary School in Prineville, OR. Her counterpart, Counselor Emma Saddler, is just as eager to get started each time she walks into the Crook...
Advocates Question Proposed Title IX Changes
The U.S. Department of Education has proposed changes to Title IX of the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 that would alter how universities handle sexual violence. Our victim advocates in Spokane who work with Gonzaga and Eastern Washington Universities are concerned about...
