Renee Hardman to take the helm on Jan. 23

 

The Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI) Board of Directors has tapped Renee Hardman, City Councilwoman of West Des Moines, as its next leader.  Hardman begins her work as President and Chief Executive Officer with LSI, one of the state’s largest human services agencies, serving all 99 Iowa counties, on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024.

Regarded as a passionate and dedicated business and community leader, Renee Hardman, brings years of experience serving youth, women, and marginalized communities in the Greater Des Moines metropolitan area.

“We are delighted to welcome Ms. Hardman as our new President and CEO,” said Katie Fergus, Chair of the LSI Board of Directors.  “We believe her experience as an accomplished business professional, nonprofit executive, and dedicated community leader will guide LSI in a positive and progressive direction, and we are excited to see how her vision and creativity help to shape the future of this 160-year-old organization.”

“I am honored and humbled to lead an organization that does such good work throughout the state for families, children, immigrants, refugees, persons with disabilities, DEI, and so many more,” said Ms. Hardman.  “Serving my community and all 99 Iowa counties is my lifelong passion, and I am so excited to lift up our collective work while transforming and positively enhancing LSI’s brand.”

Hardman is currently serving her second term as a City Councilwoman for the City of West Des Moines. She recently served as Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Officer and Vice President of Human Resources for Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines. She also served for four years as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa and spent 19 years as Senior Vice President of Human Resources for Bankers Trust.

Hardman received a bachelor’s degree and an MBA from Drake University. She has been recognized by the Des Moines Business Record as the Forty Under 40 Alumna of the Year, a Woman of Influence, and as one of the Top 25 Des Moines Business Leaders. She has also received a Lifetime Volunteer Award from President Biden and was recently awarded the Louise Rosenfield Noun Visionary Award. She is an Iowa Women Hall of Fame Inductee and a past Remarkable Woman Honoree by WHO 13.

Hardman is actively engaged in local, state, and national organizations having served on the BBBS National Diversity Committee and co-chair of the Governor’s DEI Task Force. She chairs the Des Moines University Multicultural Student Affairs Committee and serves as a Trustee for Des Moines University, a board member for the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce, an inaugural Trustee for the West Des Moines Chamber Foundation, a member of the Polk County Housing Trust Fund, and a board member for the Iowa Association for the Education of Young People.

LSI is one of Iowa’s largest human services agencies and impacts thousands of Iowans annually through early childhood education, services for families and youth in crisis, programs for people with disabilities, and immigrant and refugee services. LSI is nationally accredited and proudly serves people of all ages, abilities, religions, sexes, gender identities, national origins, ethnicities, races, and sexual orientations. To learn more, visit LSIowa.org. Join us on LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram. 

 

Making a Lasting Impact

[vc_row padding_setting=”1″ desktop_padding=”padding-one”][vc_column width=”1/3″][hcode_image_gallery image_gallery_type=”lightbox-gallery” simple_image_type=”zoom” lightbox_type=”grid” column=”1″ image_gallery=”29458″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]Phil has had a connection to LSI since his college years. While taking social work classes at Wartburg College, he was asked to tutor a student at LSI’s Bremwood Residential Treatment Center in Waverly. Even years later, he and his wife, Phyllis, continued to support LSI programming by making a donation around Christmas each year.

When Phyllis passed away in 2012, Phil began looking at their investments and considering how he could make a positive impact long-term. While at a church event, he met an LSI staff member and learned about a charitable trust program. He decided to establish four benefactors – including LSI – in his planned giving.

“LSI can use the money in a wise, caring way for people who are at risk or who really need help, and in a way that nobody else is doing.” Phil says. “Through planned giving, LSI and these other causes will be able to continue what they’re doing even when I’m gone.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column padding_setting=”1″ desktop_padding=”padding-one”][vc_separator border_width=”4″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row padding_setting=”1″ desktop_padding=”padding-one”][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Elizabeth has been an LSI supporter for decades. LSI has an office based out of her church, and she says the services play an important role in Iowa. When she learned about LSI’s planned giving opportunities, she knew it was a good way to make an impact in the future.

“I want my support to go where it will be used the best, and I know the money will be used well at LSI,” she says. “I think that’s what God calls us to do, to use our money well.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column padding_setting=”1″ desktop_padding=”padding-one”][vc_separator border_width=”4″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row padding_setting=”1″ desktop_padding=”padding-one”][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]Paul has been familiar with LSI and all its past iterations since he was a child. After becoming a pastor, he helped establish LSI’s Muscatine office – including the HOPES House – and when he served as a pastor in Preston, he would always include a stop at LSI’s Bremwood campus in Waverly on his congregation’s confirmation trips.

Paul has also been a member of LSI leadership for 22 years, first spending 13 years on the LSI Board of Directors, then as a member of the LSI Foundation Board. Paul says that through his involvement with LSI, he has seen how important the giving of the Foundation is when programs need additional funding not provided by the State of Iowa. He has chosen to include LSI in his planned giving as a way to ensure the organization has support in the long run.

“We think that long-term, these issues that LSI seeks to deal with, they’re not going to go away. There will come a time when our regular giving to LSI will stop, so this is one way to have that support be ongoing,” Paul says. “We can continue to witness the compassion that Jesus shows to those most in need, even by our planned giving.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][hcode_image_gallery image_gallery_type=”lightbox-gallery” simple_image_type=”zoom” lightbox_type=”grid” column=”1″ image_gallery=”29464″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row padding_setting=”1″ desktop_padding=”padding-one”][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]If you are interested in learning more about how your estate plans can include LSI, please email Deborah.Whitford@LSIowa.org or call 563.676.2065.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

LSI Donor Spotlight: Larry Gittins

[vc_row padding_setting=”1″ desktop_padding=”padding-one”][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Larry Gittins has been a steadfast donor to LSI since 2005. After hearing a presentation about LSI at his church, he wanted to give back and support the organization in some way. But due to health reasons, he was unable to volunteer as he would like. So, he chose to donate instead.

Over the years, Larry’s donations have made an impact on LSI’s wide range of services, from supporting the organization’s Bremwood and Beloit Residential Treatment Centers and statewide therapy services, to LSI’s services for Iowans with disabilities and in-home parenting education programming.

Larry makes automated monthly contributions to LSI, so he can feel confident knowing that no matter what, he can continue making a difference each month. That certainty is comforting to Larry and his wife, Mary.

Larry has lived with Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) for years. Earlier this summer, when he could feel his irregular heartbeat reaching a dangerous level, he knew he needed to get to the hospital. His AFib, complicated by an infection from an ailing hip, almost cost him his life. Larry spent a month and a day in the hospital before returning home.

“I give a monthly donation so that health scares like this won’t prevent me from giving what I can to charity,” Larry says. “To miss a month would be upsetting to Mary and me.”

Larry says he is a proud Christian and a Lutheran, and LSI’s mission to provide hope and healing to all Iowans is what motivates him to support the organization and wrap care around hundreds of Iowa families.

“I am proud to know that LSI serves families from all walks of life and people from every faith. LSI’s work is an extension of our church. They have the staff and the expertise to do the work we can’t. But we have to support LSI to allow them to do that work,” Larry says. “Donating is my way to make a difference in the lives of children and families. LSI is all about helping people and making the world a better place.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Leaving a Legacy

[vc_row padding_setting=”1″ desktop_padding=”padding-one”][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Across the state, the work LSI does to lift up and empower Iowa children, adults, and families is only possible thanks to the generous support of LSI donors and community partners.

LeAllen Nevermann has made a life-changing impact for the Iowans we serve by donating to LSI for 33 years.

“It’s our Christian obligation to support organizations like LSI,” LeAllen says. “They’re important to society. A lot of people need help in the world, and LSI is trying to do that.”

He and his wife, Janelle, shared a passion for giving and caring for others. They were familiar with LSI’s Bremwood Residential Treatment Center campus in Waverly and the work it does to help Iowa children and teens heal and overcome trauma, abuse, and neglect. When they decided to give to LSI, they were especially drawn to empowering the youth living on Bremwood’s campus.

The Nevermanns attended events at Bremwood and were inspired by the testimony shared by children living there, often learning about their lives before Bremwood and how LSI was helping them to make positive changes for their futures. At one particular dinner, a young girl on campus shared a poem about her experience, and everyone in attendance was given a copy of the poem. Years later, LeAllen discovered that Janelle had kept her copy of that poem.

LeAllen and Janelle wanted to ensure their legacy of compassion and giving could live on, and they opted to include LSI in their estate planning through a charitable trust in the name of their son, Stuart. When Janelle passed away in August of 2020, after 61 years together with LeAllen, LSI was included in her estate. Thanks to the Nevermann family and their passion for helping others, Bremwood and LSI will continue to provide critical care, treatment, and guidance for Iowa youth well into the future.

There are many ways to make gifts to LSI through a will, living trust, or other estate planning vehicles. If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Sarah.Green@LSIowa.org.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Welcome Rev. Kyle Barton!

[vc_row padding_setting=”1″ desktop_padding=”padding-one”][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]LSI is thrilled to welcome Rev. Kyle Barton as our new Spiritual Life Leader. Pastor Kyle’s role will primarily focus on providing faith-based programming on LSI’s two residential treatment campuses, Bremwood in Waverly and Beloit in Ames. He will oversee the Spiritual Life program, which offers voluntary activities, such as music and art, for children to enjoy, and lead regular chapel and youth group sessions. We are also excited to expand our Spiritual Life program to further support LSI staff and serve as a representative to the ELCA community.

Pastor Kyle began his ordained career with a call to St. James Lutheran Church in Allison, Iowa, after completing a bachelor’s degree at Wartburg College in Waverly and a Master of Divinity degree at Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque. Prior to his call to St. James, Pastor Kyle served as a pastoral intern in Dubuque at St. Peter Lutheran Church while also working as an on-call chaplain for Mercy Medical Center in Dubuque.

“I am excited to engage God’s children through the ministry that is LSI,” Pastor Kyle says. “I am pleased to have the opportunity to journey alongside the clients, staff, and benefactors of LSI, all the while living out the Gospel promise of Jesus Christ. I look forward to getting to know the greater LSI community in the months to come.”

In his free time, Pastor Kyle enjoys spending time in the outdoors with his family through a multitude of activities such as camping, hiking, boating, fishing, skiing (Nordic and downhill), and hunting, in addition to traveling around the country and abroad. In his previous call, Pastor Kyle also thoroughly enjoyed volunteering as an EMT with the Allison Ambulance Service.

We look forward to seeing the many ways Pastor Kyle will make a life-changing impact on the children and teens we are privileged to serve![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Meet Sarah Green, LSI’s Vice President of Philanthropy and Church Relations

[vc_row padding_setting=”1″ desktop_padding=”padding-one”][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Sarah Green joined Team LSI earlier this summer as our new Vice President of Philanthropy and Church Relations. She has a heart for this work, and is truly dedicated to LSI’s mission of providing hope and healing to so many of our neighbors.

She comes to LSI from Blessman International, where she worked as the Director of U.S. Development. Blessman serves communities in Limpopo, South Africa, and Sarah was responsible for expanding Blessman’s philanthropy efforts, as well as leading eight trips to South Africa. She also has experience working at Children’s Cancer Connection, managing statewide volunteers and fundraising events.

After earning her undergraduate degree from the University of Northern Iowa, Sarah completed her Master’s in Public Administration with a focus in Executive Leadership from Drake University, where she developed a passion for multiculturalism and global diversity.

“My professional experiences have been focused on global initiatives, but I have always been interested in serving directly in my community. I was inspired to become part of LSI and ‘come home’ to the state of Iowa to make an impact,” Sarah says. “I have been inspired by the hundreds of dedicated employees at LSI providing life-changing services, and I am humbled to be part of the team.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

In Memory: Former LSI President Leonard C. Larsen

[vc_row padding_setting=”1″ desktop_padding=”padding-one”][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]By George Hanusa

LSI has had many notable executives in its long history, but none as outstanding as Leonard C. Larsen.

He lived service. In the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict, his training as a psychiatric social worker enabled him to help those suffering from PTSD. After his military service, he and his wife, Delores, moved to her home state of Iowa. Here, he devoted his life and career to serving children and families as a social worker at Beloit Lutheran Children’s Home in Ames, eventually becoming its director.

He joined LSI (then Lutheran Social Service of Iowa), becoming branch director in Waterloo. He remained with the agency for 35 years, retiring as President and CEO in 1994. He devoted his retirement years to pastoral counseling.

He always had good humor and high expectations of those who worked with him at LSS. His management skills brought the agency into a good financial position and kept it there, even when state contract payments didn’t fully cover the cost of services rendered.

His direct service to the church included providing counsel to staff of the Iowa District ALC, Iowa Synod LCA, and the three ELCA Iowa synods. He helped district and synod presidents and bishops approve candidates for ministry and helped them put together multiple pastoral staff ministries for congregations.

For this, and for much more, we say, “well done, good and faithful servant.”

George Hanusa served as Director of Communications and Development at Lutheran Social Service for 15 years during Leonard’s tenure as President and CEO.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Hope in Times of Crisis

[vc_row padding_setting=”1″ desktop_padding=”padding-one”][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Life looks drastically different for all of us in the time of COVID-19. But through all this, a few things have remained constant at LSI: kindness, compassion, and the drive to help the clients we serve, no matter what.

While everything else seems to have come to a complete stop, LSI’s programming has not. Across the state, hundreds of our staff continue to answer the call and come to work every day to support our communities. Whether it’s providing virtual home visits for parents of young children or donning personal protective equipment to support a family in crisis in their home, LSI’s mission of hope and healing continues. Here are just a few stories of how LSI team members are supporting Iowans during this time:[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row padding_setting=”1″ desktop_padding=”padding-one”][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”26072″ img_size=”medium” style=”vc_box_circle_2″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][hcode_space padding_setting=”1″ desktop_padding=”padding-five”][vc_column_text]
LSI therapist Andrea quickly learned how to provide therapy sessions via video chat, ensuring her clients still have access to the critical mental health care they need. When one client was experiencing severe anxiety from COVID-19, Andrea was there to coach her through with coping strategies and self-care ideas.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row padding_setting=”1″ desktop_padding=”padding-one”][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”26081″ img_size=”medium” style=”vc_box_circle_2″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][hcode_space padding_setting=”1″ desktop_padding=”padding-five”][vc_column_text]Michaela, a member of LSI’s Services for People with Disabilities team, provided alternative ideas for a client who could no longer participate in the community volunteering she loved. Now, they spend their day making cards for residents in senior living facilities.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row padding_setting=”1″ desktop_padding=”padding-one”][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”26079″ img_size=”medium” style=”vc_box_circle_2″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][hcode_space padding_setting=”1″ desktop_padding=”padding-five”][vc_column_text]Staff at our Beloit and Bremwood Residential Treatment Centers helped kids dye eggs and participate in Easter egg hunts on campus, while most public events of this type were cancelled. And while school has been cancelled for the youth in our care, LSI team members have worked long hours to create additional activities and entertainment to keep kids feeling safe and secure during times of uncertainty.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row padding_setting=”1″ desktop_padding=”padding-one”][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”26077″ img_size=”medium” style=”vc_box_circle_2″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][hcode_space padding_setting=”1″ desktop_padding=”padding-five”][vc_column_text]Eddah, LSI’s Refugee Connection Center Supervisor, and several members of her team have been staffing a statewide COVID-19 hotline for people with limited English skills. In partnership with the Refugee Alliance of Central Iowa, LSI staff are interpreting in more than 19 languages to provide important COVID-19 updates and information.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row padding_setting=”1″ desktop_padding=”padding-one”][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”26080″ img_size=”medium” style=”vc_box_circle_2″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][hcode_space padding_setting=”1″ desktop_padding=”padding-five”][vc_column_text]LSI social worker Gina continues to provide support to families who are at risk of abuse or neglect. Children in abusive situations are at greater risk during COVID-19, but Gina and her team are there to provide video chats with families several times each week and monitor child safety, ensuring the kids they serve are living in happy, healthy homes.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row padding_setting=”1″ desktop_padding=”padding-one”][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”26073″ img_size=”medium” style=”vc_box_circle_2″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][hcode_space padding_setting=”1″ desktop_padding=”padding-five”][vc_column_text]Outside of her usual work hours, Service Quality Coordinator Brooke is also stopping by Northeast Iowa Food Bank regularly to help prepare emergency food boxes.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Thank You for Supporting LSI Staff During COVID-19!

[vc_row padding_setting=”1″ desktop_padding=”padding-one”][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]We are so grateful to our community partners who have generously provided our frontline staff with face masks during this difficult time.

As of our latest count, communities across Iowa have donated more than 2,496 masks or face shields to LSI.

Thank you to…

Susan Bauer
Carol Bowers
Arleen Burkhardt
Jane Campbell
Cindy Carlson
Trisha Darby
Margaret DeSio
Jody Eubank
Susan Feuerbach
Cathy Frueh
Marlene Geiger
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church Women of the ELCA, Cedar Rapids
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Urbandale
Grace Lutheran Church Women of the ELCA, Davenport
Norma Hamilton
Cindy Haselhuhn
Sharon Hemmen
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Ankeny
Alma Huck
Shelly Drauer, Iowa Quilt Block
John Deere Drive Train Operations
Keepsake Quilters Guild
Keystone Church, Ankeny
Donna Kirschenmann
Masks for the Frontlines Iowa
Million Masks March
June Mehlhaus
Northern Iowa Mask Makers
Doris Rumpp
St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Preston
St. Mark Lutheran Church, Davenport
St. Mark Lutheran Church, Storm Lake
St. Paul Lutheran Church, Davenport
Nancy Stage
Janet Wee
Betty Wiedemeier

LSI would also like to thank the many people, businesses, and organizations that have made a monetary donation to respond to the severe and unanticipated costs that we have incurred due to COVID-19. In particular, we want to thank the Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine, Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, Community State Bank (Spencer), Lincoln Savings Bank Foundation, Wells Fargo Foundation, Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, Scott County Regional Authority, and Quad Cities Community Foundation for their tremendous financial support.

This list of supporters continues to grow every day. Thanks to everyone who has responded to our request for masks! As we continue to prioritize the safety of our staff and the people we serve, we know this will be a long-term need for LSI. If you are able to help and have questions about design or how we might receive masks from you, please contact John Claes, Interim Vice President of Philanthropy and Church Relations, at John.Claes@LSIowa.org.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Your Compassion in Action

We are so thankful for the generous support of LSI donor Karol Sturm, of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls.

Karol gave a memorial gift to honor her parents, Wally and Shirley. Karol’s paternal grandmother, Anna Lenius Burman, was raised at the Lutheran Children’s Home – now LSI’s Bremwood Residential Treatment Center – along with her six siblings.

The Lutheran Children’s Home was a safe haven for Karol’s grandmother during her formative years, and Karol felt her father would greatly approve of a gift given to LSI’s Bremwood Spiritual Life Program, which provides voluntary faith-based activities like art and music for children and youth at the residential treatment center.

Thank you so much, Karol, for your thoughtful support of LSI and the critical programming Bremwood provides for so many of Iowa’s most vulnerable children and teens!