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Sierra Pacific Synod Gives Grant Award
The Sierra Pacific Synod Council voted last weekend to make a one-time grant of $100,000 to Lutheran Social Services of Northern California.

The Synod Council expressed its appreciation for the outstanding work of LSS and authorized this one-time grant, which is not a part of the Synod’s annual budget.

The grant is intended to assist in funding a development director for the agency, a position that has been vacant for over six years. Combined with a recent Thrivent Financial for Lutherans grant for a charitable giving initiative, the Synod’s grant puts LSS in a good position to breathe new life into its development program and build a solid foundation as it expands its ministry in northern California.

“I am pleased that this special grant for the addition of a development director will strengthen
the capacity of this fine ministry,” said Bishop David Mullen of the Sierra Pacific Synod.
“The partnership of congregations, synod and LSS continues to deepen and grow – thanks be to God!”

A development director on staff at Lutheran Social Services will strengthen its ability to raise money through the Second Mile Giving program. At last year’s Synod Assembly, the congregations of the Sierra Pacific Synod endorsed financial support of its ministry partners, including LSS of Northern California, through the 'second-mile' giving opportunity, with each congregation encouraged to include a monthly bulletin insert highlighting the ministry of the month.

“I am extraordinarily grateful to the Synod for this very special grant,” said Barbara Dröher Kline, President of LSS. “It will help us have not just a communications strategy but also a development strategy in place to strengthen partnerships with our supporting congregations and their members. I am thankful for the vision and leadership of the Bishop, Synod staff and Council members!”

LSS of Northern California provides services to over 2200 clients daily in the areas of both temporary and permanent supportive housing, financial management, supportive case management, and Katrina assistance and recovery efforts. LSS is supported by both the ELCA and the LCMS and their member congregations across northern California.

Client Spotlight: the Pimentals

Who: Eduardo Pimental and Antonia Silva and their children, Eddy (15), Jackie (7) and Jeanette (2).

LSS Program: LSS provides supportive housing services at Bernal Gateway Apartments, which are owned by Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center.

Occupations: Eduardo is a chef at an Italian restaurant and Antonia cares for their children full time.

Interests: Eduardo and Eddy love soccer; Antonia, Jackie and Jeanette love to dance and Antonia sews. The whole family is active in community activities at Bernal Gateway.

Their story: Because Eduardo and Antonia speak limited English, they had problems finding work. The whole family used to live in one room because there were no affordable apartments. One day Antonia heard about the Bernal Gateway Apartments, which is owned by Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center and which rents to low-income families. The family applied, waited for a year and then got the life-changing phone call that there was an apartment available. 

Now they are happy because they like the cleanliness of the building, the friendliness of the other residents and the sense of security and the affordability of their apartment. They appreciate the services that Lutheran Social Services provides to residents, assisting them in maintaining their housing. The Pimentels said that with the help of LSS they feel like they have a friend that is helping them to be a happier family. They have received referrals to all kinds of services: medical, mental health, parenting skills, translation services, food, toys, clothing and school supplies for the kids, a youth program and a person that is ready to hear us and support us as a family.

Successes: As a family the Pimentals are proud to be able to maintain their housing with the money they earn. They have become better parents because of the parenting skills that LSS staff have taught them. They enjoy themselves as a family with the family activities arranged at Bernal Gateway. Eduardo has been employed for eight years in the same restaurant.

Goals: Eventually the Pimentals would love to purchase their own home. Eddy is planning to attend college. Eduardo wants to open a small café of his own, and Antonia's goal is to learn English so that she can get a part-time job when Jeanette begins school.

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