Our Stories
You’re never too old to become a U.S. citizen; just ask 85-year-old Beatriz
Congratulations to Beatriz, who with support from our citizenship program, passed the U.S. naturalization exam and took the oath of citizenship in December at 85 years old. Beatriz is from Venezuela and came to the United States six years ago when she had a health...
She grew up with over 60 LCSNW foster siblings. Now she’s joined our Board
Cathy Neer was raised in a home filled with love and the aroma of homemade bread and pies. The place was always bustling with the activities of Cathy and her three siblings. A rotating cast of temporary foster children took things to a whole other level. Most of the...
Follow Tacoma-area volunteers on their year-long journey with a refugee family
About the program LCS Northwest's Circle of Welcome program allows faith and community groups to walk alongside a refugee or refugee family for one year. There are three models: Newly-Arrived, Post-Arrival, and Distant Partner. Each includes a minimum financial...
LCSNW victim advocates join fight against human trafficking
Human trafficking is a global problem that shows up in local communities. During Human Trafficking Prevention Month in January, we spoke with Abigail Dougherty, a Crime Victim Advocate in the LCSNW Spokane office, about the signs, causes and options for victims of...
Formerly homeless, she now serves others as an LCSNW housing navigator
Melanie Curtis loves her job. She didn’t think it would be such a rough road to find work that is as fulfilling as what she found at LCSNW. But today she’s happy to help others in ways that draw deeply from her personal life struggles. “I’ve been through every...
Small towns, big shoes to fill: LCSNW says farewell to two Board members
When you live in a “ville,” you tend to have a distinctly non-urban perspective -- with some exceptions, such as Nashville and Jacksonville -- that other people may overlook. Barbara Smithson and Mike Wilson brought that valuable rural frame of reference to the LCSNW...
Holiday generosity abounds: LCSNW Portland, Tri-Cities teams use different models
Families around the Pacific Northwest are finding the holidays much brighter thanks to several LCSNW programs. This year, we spotlight how our teams are helping spread cheer in two communities, using two different approaches. In the Portland area, 52 families from...
