Durga’s community and family were in danger. The growing violence and systematic ethnic cleansing in Bhutan made it unsafe for his family to stay in the country they called home. After being forced to flee Bhutan, Durga came to the U.S. as a refugee, with a dream of building a better life. He wanted a...
2018 was a year full of growth for LSI. We developed new and innovative ways to wrap holistic, comprehensive care around our clients, received many exciting grants, spent fun times together as a team, and developed our volunteer program. We’re grateful for the year behind us, and eager for what’s ahead. And as always, we’re...
I can call her if I have a problem, and she’s there for me when I need her.
Life was a blur. Kelli’s partner physically assaulted her. Then, he abandoned her and their oldest child. She was in her third trimester of pregnancy. With no family nearby, Kelli didn’t know where to turn. She was terrified. Hopeless. But Kelli knew she needed to be strong for her children, and often times, being strong...
Laughter echoes from one corner of a Village Inn restaurant, where Stephanie and Brenda have stopped for a piece of pie. The two meet on Mondays and Fridays each week and spend a few hours of the day together. Whether they are planning a big trip to Adventureland, relaxing for an afternoon of listening to...
When Kari, a little girl they knew through church, was in need of a foster home, Stacie and Blake decided to step up. “We really had her best interest in mind, and we felt like we needed to help,” Stacie says. The couple became licensed as foster and adoptive parents in 2013, and Stacie says...
Kassie and Tammy have always had a passion for seeing children succeed. At work, Kassie supports foster and adoptive parents, and Tammy assists children with special healthcare needs. The two have raised three children—Morgan, Cayden, and Avery—but they decided to consider foster parenting and adoption. It didn’t take long for them to know they made...
I was lucky I had all the support I needed. Make sure you are surrounding yourself with people who have fostered or adopted before.
It was a few days before the presidential election in 2012, and Kelly was tired of all the political ads and unwanted campaign phone calls. The Saturday before she cast her vote, an unknown number called her cell phone. She almost didn’t answer, but something told her to pick up the phone. The voice on...
When Andrea first arrived at the Polk County Juvenile Detention Center, she was skeptical. The 16-year-old had struggled to manage her anger in a healthy way, and she was sent to the detention center after acting out at home. She learned she would begin seeing Megan, an LSI therapist who provides services in the detention...
