Our Stories
Two Vancouver churches provide space for growing LCSNW programs
Our Multicultural Community Services (MCS) staff has expanded into two Vancouver area churches that have office space to spare. One church is Lutheran, the other is not, and LCS Northwest is grateful to both. MCS Director Peter Vogelaar said he and others at Lutheran...
Two more artists join LCSNW refugee art show in Beaverton
Ghulam Ali Danish Kamal, who goes by Danish, is a longtime artist who fled Afghanistan in October 2021. Danish, his wife Marzia, their three sons and his parents arrived in Washington state the following May and became clients of Lutheran Community Services Northwest....
Caring for kiddos: A Family Place expands to Newberg, third site in Yamhill County
A familiar polka dot bus drives around Newberg, the gateway to Oregon's Willamette Valley, picking up children as young as 18 months and delivering them to an exciting new place. This isn't just any place. It's A Family Place, a relief nursery that opened this fall 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, [email protected] or 360-787-4737. For the Portland area, contact Fiona Evans, [email protected] 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...