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SUMMMER 2021 A Quarterly Publication of Lutheran Social Services of Northwestern Ohio When Summer isn't a vacation Finding work can be daunting for older job seekers causing financial distress.
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
Working Together The Messenger is published quarterly
to Ensure Our Future by the Lutheran Social Services of
Northwestern Ohio.
Established 1911
LMM BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Bobbie Abel
Bob Bethel
Jan Bratton
Michelle Dean
Christina Fletcher
Denise Lalonde
Rev. Stephen Lutz
AS OUR MINISTRIES finally emerge from the fear and restrictions Jeff Mires
of the COVID-19 pandemic, we remain grateful for the courage of Barbara Moellman
Christine Palmer
our staff and the loyalty of all those who stepped forward through
Michael Scheiding
the past year and a half with prayers, well wishes and donations. Edward J. Schulte
The faithfulness and generosity of our community, the devotion of Jeffrey Schwartz
staff, and the strength of our Lutheran Ministries of Mercy affili- Tim Schumm
ation have helped to ensure our resilience in the hardest of times. Bishop Chester Trail
Even more, these gifts have given us the inspiration and ability to Charles Winters
Nathan Zechman
step confidently into change.
Not only have programs and services reopened, but the CEO AND PRESIDENT
Terri Rodriguez
resourcefulness and passion of staff has set new initiatives in
motion. Here at Lutheran Social Services of Northwestern Ohio, VICE PRESIDENT
restructuring of the food pantry operation is underway, the citizen Traci Jaksetic
community re-entry from prison program is expanding, we are
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
embracing the future of telehealth counseling for mental health MaryAnn Diamond
services and the work of the Financial Opportunity Center is
MISSION ADVANCEMENT COORDINATOR
intensifying with an unprecedented $6.4 million dollars in grant
Jennifer Ziolkowski
funding.
Today, as we launch our “Together Toward Tomorrow” (TTT) REGIONAL OFFICES
fundraising initiative, your gift will serve to keep our ministries ARCHBOLD 419-267-5528
working for all those who come to us in need of care and services. BOWLING GREEN 419-352-0702
When staff members, volunteers, community partners and donors FINDLAY 419-422-7917
join hands, each life we touch-even in a small way-is powerful and FREMONT 419-334-3431
has lasting impact. Thank you for considering your gift today! GALION 1-877-343-2187
SYLVANIA 419-517-7553
Sincerely, LIMA 419-879-6029
TIFFIN 567-220-6495
Terri Rodriguez
TOLEDO 419-243-9178
President and C.E.O.
WAPAKONETA 1-877-343-2187
Administrative Office
2149 Collingwood Blvd.
Toledo, Ohio 43620
@LSSNWO
@LSSNWO
@Lutheran Social Services
Toledo@lssnwo.org
2 | The Messenger - Summer 2021
LETTER FROM THE V.P.
EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE.
EXTRAORDINARY MOMENTS.
AS WE MOVE closer to normalcy, I
reflect back on the past year. It was
a time that could not be anticipated
or imagined. LSS provided numer-
ous services to thousands of people
from all age groups and a variety of
social, economic, and ethnic statuses
throughout Northwest Ohio.
We do not share very often the
amazing talents of the staff who
TRACIA JAKSETIC
provide services and work alongside
Vice President of LSS
the volunteers to contribute to the
success of the agency. As the LSS
Vice President, I continue to have the pleasure of observing
how dedicated our staff and volunteers are that serve our as ever. I hope the articles contained in this Messenger will
clients. Today, we continue to make innovative changes to demonstrate the dedication of our staff and the appreciation
address the changing needs of the communities we serve. We we have serving our clients’ needs. If you have had a staff
are investing in the future of LSS. member or volunteer provide exceptional service to you, please
Each valuable member of our team contributes to the reach out and let me know. We would like to hear your story.
service of our clients. We are a better staff when we combine Thank you for your dedication to helping us serve those in
our talents to provide excellent services. Our long legacy of their time of need. We are committed to growth and relevance
providing quality and relevant services remains as strong to serve generations, now and into the future.
Q & A With New LMM Board
Chairman: Chuck Winters
Q: How did you become affiliated with LMM?
A: My journey has been life-long. My oldest sister, Carolle, was severely mentally and
physically handicapped. I spent my life learning about her needs and of those like her. As
my parents got older, they looked for an ICF (Intermediate Care Facility), and found Filling
Memorial Home.
Each visit to Filling Memorial Home, I saw residents that were happy and a staff that were/ CHUCK WINTERS
are angels on Earth. After my parents passed, my other sister and I became guardians of LMM Board Chairman
Carolle and my affiliation and admiration of Filling Home grew. After Carolle passed, I
needed a way to give back. I met with Pastor Charles Campbell, then Chairman of LMM Board, and joined the board. Later,
I also joined the Executive Committee for LMM, which led to my current role. This is a position I am growing into, as my
predecessor left VERY large shoes to fill.
Q: What do you see as your role and the future of LMM?
A: I hope to offer a supporting role for the excellent people who work and volunteer at all LMM organizations. These people are
incredibly talented and dedicated. Our board members offer a broad range of skills and experience, and those varied skills and
experiences complement and blend well. Collaboratively these people lead a bright future.
For proof of the courage, dedication, and talent I see – look to what guided LMM through the challenging times of the last year.
I am in awe of the difficulties encountered and the solutions created. We continue to face difficulties but the outlook for a bright
future remains. Please keep all of these people in your prayers and know we can always use more people to help in our ministry.
The Messenger -Summer 2021 | 3
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Toledo's Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz
presents Traci Jaksetic, V.P. and
Terri Rodriguez, LMM CEO, with a
city proclamation. (Right) The Mayor
speaks to a local landlord about the
Toledo Lucas County Emergency Rental
Assistance Program.
Toledo Mayor Recognizes Agency’s
Century Long Commitment
Commemorating a very special anniversary this year, Lutheran Social Services was paid a visit by the
Mayor of Toledo and received a very special recognition for outstanding service to the community.
TOLEDO’S MAYOR WADE KAPSZUKIEWICZ met with members tenants and landlords in Lucas County.
of the LSS staff to talk about emerging needs in the city and “COVID-19 has caused unprecedented job loss and income
how LSS could be of assistance for future programs in the reduction and I am thrilled that the city and the county have
community. The Mayor was given a tour around the main offices partnered to address the challenge of housing with this new,
and the Toledo Emergency Food Pantry, which at the peak of federally-funded program,” Mayor Kapszukiewicz said.
COVID-19, served over 1,000 individuals a month. LSS received a A local landlord, Don, was in the office to meet with a
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from the City of Financial Coach to apply for rental assistance on his property.
Toledo for the Emergency Food Pantry last year. “I have not gotten paid since June of 2020 on my rental. The
With growing food insecurities and housing concerns among woman has three children and I did not want to put her out. I am
Toledo’s most vulnerable, Terri Rodriguez, President and C.E.O., owed over $7,000 in rent. I cannot afford to pay the mortgage,
said she was grateful for the Mayor’s visit, and for the continued insurance and taxes on it myself,” said Don. The Mayor assured
partnership with the City during the coronavirus pandemic. “We Don that the City can assist landlords, like him, in his situation.
are here to serve and this is what we try to do every single day,” Before his visit was over, Mayor Kapszukiewicz presented a
Rodriguez said. proclamation from the City of Toledo recognizing LSS on its
A year ago, the City launched the COVID-19 Emergency 110th anniversary. “This is a wonderful tribute to the work of
Rental Assistance Fund with Lutheran Social Services which our staff, not only the work that they've accomplished today, but
provided 3 months of stable housing for income-eligible every single day for more than a hundred years," Rodriguez said.
households in Toledo. This past May, LSS was once again chosen If you would like to make a donation to honor the work of LSS,
to provide additional rental assistance up to 12 months to eligible please use the enclosed envelope.
4 | The Messenger - Summer 2021
SERVICE
SERVICE SPOTLIGHT
SPOTLIGHT
Why One Size
Does Not Fit All
For Employees
WHEN GAYLE WALKS into the room, you
can’t help but smile. Her bubbly personality
and infectious smile would not indicate
that medical bills have long been a source
of stress. Fortunately, Gayle’s employer
since 2012, TH Plastics, is part of the Shared
Success ERN hosted by Lutheran Social
Services. Employer Resource Networks
(ERN) are private-public
consortia with a purpose to improve
workforce retention through employee
support and training.
Companies are realizing more than ever
that eliminating barriers, due to challenges at
home and at work, is beneficial to the bottom
line. The ERN was an evolution to provide
SERVICE SPOTLIGHT
SERVICE SPOTLIGHT a Success Coach that could help employees
onsite by building a relationship of trust and
Homelessness Among be able to help employees with issues such
as: car repair, daycare, and hopefully improve
attendance and retain more employees.
Veterans Spikes
“Latanya, my ERN Success Coach, was
brought into TH Plastics to support us in
all areas of our lives. Her knowledge and
connections are endless. She has helped me
Tens of thousands of Veterans are homeless on any given with my finances by helping me apply for
night in America. A rise is expected in the next few months assistance with the hospital for my medical
bills,” said Gayle.
as the coronavirus pandemic winds down. A new report shows in 2020, that Shared
AS HAROLD STEPPED into the LSS lobby, not only did he struggle to walk, Success companies experienced an average
he grappled in his mind how to ask for assistance. He rolled his medical of 432% return on investment toward the
walker into a financial coach’s office, sat down and removed his military hat goals of stabilizing households. The
adorned with pins. study is based on 619 service needs
There is a sense of shame for his generation to reach out for help, but addressed from 202 employees and
unfortunately, he reached a crossroad and did not know where to turn. At their families that were served by
his age, he has fought in the Korean War, been divorced for over 50 years and Latanya in 2020.
survived cancer… twice. Gayle adds, “She has helped me
Harold is in a category that does not fit the rental assistance program. He to better myself. I connected really
has served his country but struggles to pay his rent. His monthly Social well with her instantly. Latanya has
Security check in not enough to cover the rent and other bills, which helped me find online college
forces him to have to work. He lost his job a few months ago, but not courses.” Gayle is currently
due to COVID-19, which is a requirement for eligibility. The thought enrolled at Ashworth
of homelessness brings on unneeded fears at his age. University focusing her
After several calls to local Veteran organizations, the Financial future studies in medical
Coach connected him with Supportive Services for Veteran coding.
Families (SSVF). The SSVF provides rental assistance to very Latanya shares similar
low-income Veteran households at risk of homelessness. With sentiments toward
the end of eviction moratoriums coupled with lingering housing Gayle. “She is a go-getter.
challenges, there has been an unprecedented wave of Veterans She has a very positive
homelessness. In 2020, 37,250 Veterans in the U.S. were without attitude and continues to
stable housing. grow as a person. If you
For Harold, he is excited for his future. He has applied for SSVF are interested in joining
rental assistance and had a recent job interview from a referral the the ERN Shared Success
agency provided. Even though LSS did not have a program to serve program, call MaryAnn
him directly, the support of the agency staff provided this Veteran with Diamond at 419-243-9178, for
hope and resources to help rebuild his life. more information.
The Messenger -Summer 2021 | 5
COMMUNITY CORNER
Awards
Ministries in Action
The winners of the 27th Annual
Communicator Awards were
announced by the Academy of
Interactive and Visual Artists
including Lutheran Social Services
COMMUNITY GARDENING
of Northwestern Ohio, who honored
The LSS Staff assisted the Women of the The Messenger newsletter with the
Old West End in weeding the garden beds
Award of Distinction for Non-Profit
and planting flowers at the Old West End
Commons. This area is a gathering place in Newsletter Design.
Grants
the Toledo neighborhood where the main LSS
office resides. Pictured: (l-r) Debbie Lisk, Liz
Eby, Traci Jaksetic, Jennifer Ziolkowski and
MaryAnn Diamond. The Andersons Fund Supporting
Organization by the Greater Toledo
Community Foundation granted
$10,855 for the purchase of two new
furnaces and duct work in the main
CASINO EMPLOYEES CARE
administrative offices.
Hollywood Casino employees held a drive
for personal hygiene items for the LSS
Emergency Food Pantry The organization
also presented a check to Lois Sanders,
Food Pantry Assistant, for any other items
that are needed.
GRANT AWARDED
The Northwestern Ohio Synod ELCA The Marathon LPGA Classic
presented LSS with a check for the Presented by Dana took place at
Imagining Renewal Microgrant at the Highland Meadows in early July.
Four Lutheran Agencies quarterly LSS was one of 30 Northwest
meeting. Pictured: (l-r) Traci Jaksetic, Ohio children’s charities to benefit
LSS V.P and Bishop Daniel Beaudoin. as a result of this year’s annual
tournament.
DONOR RECOGNITION: APRIL 1 - JUNE 30, 2021
Thank you for your Generous Support
We are blessed and thankful for your loyalty and incredible generosity to our ministries. Unrestricted
gifts made to Lutheran Ministries of Mercy are shared equally between our three affiliates including:
Filling Homes, Luther Home of Mercy and Lutheran Social Services of Northwestern Ohio.
Your continued support gives us the opportunity to be our best, and afford those in our care with the
services they need. And for that, we are grateful.
LMM Gifts ST. PETER LUTHERAN CHURCH
(Norwalk)
MR. & MRS. KENNETH
LOVEJOY
MR. & MRS. JAMES A. BOLDT
(Toledo)
(March 26-June 15, 2021) (Maumee)
Bequests Gifts
MR. TERRY L. BOSSERT
MR. DALE J. AVERS MR. NEIL NEUKAM (Maumee)
(Luckey) MR. HOWARD R. CRAIG (Toledo) MR. AND MRS. ROBERT BROSSIA
MR. & MRS. BERNELL BOEHM (Wapakoneta) MR. MARC WEBER (Perrysburg)
(Toledo) MR. EDWARD OETZEL (Toledo) MRS. CAROLE BURGESS
MRS. DARLENE BUTLER (Sylvania) MS. JENNIFER ZIOLKOWSKI (Perrysburg)
(Canton, MI) (Toledo)
MR. & MRS. TIMOTHY ROTH Thrivent Choice Gifts REV. AND MRS. CHUCK
Individual Gifts
CAMPBELL
(Waterville) MS. DOROTHY GROVE (Toledo)
MR. & MRS. TODD SLIGHT (Maumee) REV. JEFFREY BISCHOFF MS. MARY ANN DIAMOND
(Napoleon) MR. JOHN LAHR (Toledo) (Toledo)
(Dover)
6 | The Messenger - Summer 2021DONOR RECOGNITION: APRIL 1 - JUNE 30, 2021
MS. DORCEL DOWDELL ANTHEM BLUE CROSS ST. JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH IN MEMORY OF GERALD A. BRYANT
(Toledo) (Cincinnati) (Stryker) (Mrs. Kathryn Bryant)
MR. ALAN DRAVES BETHLEHEM EVANGELICAL ST. JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH IN MEMORY OF HUSBAND LOWELL
(Cridersville) LUTHERAN CHURCH (Port Clinton) AND GRANDSON MATTHEW
MRS. DANENE DURANT (Pemberville) ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH (Mrs. Rosann Murray)
(Bascom) BLACKBAUD GIVING FUND (Stony Ridge) IN MEMORY OF JAMES BROUGH
MS. JOHNNIE FRAZIER (Charleston, SC) ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH (Mrs. Gladys Kroos)
(Toledo) CAROLE ANN HARRISON (Fremont) IN MEMORY OF JANE
MR. AND MRS. DONALD GERKE CHARITABLE FUND ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH AND OTIS NEUKAM
(Pemberville) (Toledo) (Montpelier) (Mr. Neil Neukam)
MR. ROD HOCHSTETLER CHRIST EVANGELICAL ST. MARK EVANGELICAL IN MEMORY OF JOSEF KUCKELKORN
(Sylvania) LUTHERAN CHURCH LUTHERAN CHURCH (Mrs. Pat Bilow)
(Bowling Green) (Fremont) IN MEMORY OF LAWRENCE
MR. & MRS. DONALD HOLMES
(Oregon) ELCA FOUNDATION ST. MARK LUTHERAN CHURCH AND ANNA AVERS
(Chicago, IL) (Bowling Green) (Mr. Dale Avers)
MR. AND MRS. JOHN JAKSETIC
(Toledo) ENGLISH EVANGELICAL ST. MARK'S LUTHERAN CHURCH IN MEMORY OF LOGAN AND NATHAN
LUTHERAN CHURCH (Defiance) (Mr. and Mrs. William Staib)
MR. AND MRS. JAMES KEELER (Bluffton)
(Toledo) ST. MARTIN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH IN MEMORY OF LOLA GRACE GILBERT
FIRST EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN (Archbold) (Mr. Terry L. Bossert)
MS. LOIS KINSEL CHURCH
(Oregon) ST. MICHAEL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN MEMORY OF OLEN-INEZ DOZIER
(Findlay) (Mr. & Mrs. James Martin)
MR. & MRS. JAMES KNAPE (Ottawa Lake, MI)
FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH IN MEMORY OF PASTORS DALLAS
(Defiance) (Galion) ST. PAUL EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN
CHURCH ADLER, LYLE KOHLER, ROBERT
MS. DEBRA LAGGER FRONTSTREAM SHEETS & TERRY REBERT
(Lambertville, MI) (Clyde)
(Reston, VA) (Mr. and Mrs. Ron Clark)
REV. AND MRS. STEPHEN LUTZ ST. PETER EVANGELICAL L
GOOD HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH UTHERAN CHURCH IN MEMORY OF REV. TOM WILSON
(Elmore) (Bucyrus) (Mrs. Frances Wilson)
(Norwalk)
MS. BEVERLY MACKEY GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH
(Port Clinton) (Toledo)
ST. PETER LUTHERAN CHURCH In Kind Gifts
(Martin)
MS. BONNIE MARCIS GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH MR. DONALD ARNOLD
(Lyons) ST. STEPHEN LUTHERAN CHURCH (Toledo)
(Elmore) (Sylvania)
REV. AND MRS. KURT MEYERS GREATER TOLEDO COMMUNITY MS. DIANE ADLER
(Toledo) SYLVANIA UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST (Arcadia)
FOUNDATION (Sylvania)
MR. JAMES MORGAN (Toledo) MR. JOSEPH CURTIS
(Toledo) THRIVENT (Toledo)
HOLLYWOOD CASINO (Chicago, IL)
MR. JOHN HEMINGER (Toledo) MS. ELIZABETH EBY
(Genoa) TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH (Sylvania)
HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH (Wauseon)
REV. DAVID PROCTOR (Ottawa Hills) MS. PATTY HELDMAN
(Bryan) ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH (Findlay)
KROGER (Huron)
RON AND NANCY ROOT (Cincinnati) HANNAH'S SOCKS
(Fremont) ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH (Perrysburg)
LLB CHARITABLE FUND (Gibsonburg)
MR. LARRY SCHOCK (Boston, MA) HOLLYWOOD CASINO
(Findlay) ZOAR LUTHERAN CHURCH (Toledo)
LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE MASTER (Perrysburg)
MS. JOAN L. STAIB (Perrysburg) MRS. AMY JAKSETIC
(Bowling Green) MESSIAH LUTHERAN CHURCH ELCA Honor Gifts (Oregon)
MR. & MRS. JEFF THOMPSON (Toledo) IN HONOR OF LSS 110 YEARS MR. NEIL NEUKAM
(Willard) MILDRED SWANSON FUND (Mr. Scott Walsh, Mr. Neil Neukam, (Toledo)
MR. AND MRS. ROBERT UTZ (Toledo) Mr. & Mrs. Mike Harasta, Mrs. Danene CONCORDIA LUTHERAN CHURCH
(Charlottesville, VA) Durant) (Toledo)
NORTHWESTERN OHIO SYNOD-ELCA
MR. JOHN WALKER (Findlay) IN HONOR OF LILLIAN LAGGER FIRST EVANGELICAL
(Deerfield Beach, FL) (Ms. Karen Wright) LUTHERAN CHURCH
OLIVET EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN
MS. LUCY WAYTON CHURCH IN HONOR OF MASON STAIB'S 1ST (Findlay)
(Toledo) (Sylvania) BIRTHDAY ST. JOSEPH PARISH
(Mr. and Mrs. William Staib) (Sylvania)
MR. AND MRS. LESLIE WIDMER SOLOMON LUTHERAN CHURCH
(Gibsonburg) (Woodville) Memorial Gifts ST. STEPHEN LUTHERAN CHURCH
MR. AND MRS. GERALD WILLIER SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN SYNOD (Sylvania)
IN MEMORY OF CHARLES LEIBY
(Toledo) (Detroit, MI) (Mr. and Mrs. Norman Merkel) MS. SHARON SCHWANKE
REV. AND MRS. DONALD WUKOTICH ST. JAMES LUTHERAN CHURCH (Perrysburg)
IN MEMORY OF DAVID
(Woodville) (Bradner) WISTINGHAUSEN MS. LISA WILLIER
MS. PAMELA YOUNG ST. JOHN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN (Ms. Beth Jensen) (Toledo)
(Toledo) CHURCH IN MEMORY OF DONALD GENZMAN MR. & MRS. DAVID WILSON
(Oak Harbor) (Mrs. Donna Genzman) (Toledo)
Congregations, ST. JOHN EVANGELICAL MS. JENNIFER ZIOLKOWSKI
IN MEMORY OF FRED
Businesses and LUTHERAN CHURCH AND NELDA KROOS (Toledo)
Organizations (McComb) (Ms. Julia L. Kroos)
ST. JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH IN MEMORY OF GARY L. BOSSERT
AMAZON SMILE
(Celina) (Mr. Terry L. Bossert)
(Seattle, WA)
The Messenger -Summer 2021 | 7LSS Administrative Office
2149 Collingwood Blvd.
Toledo, Ohio 43620
SUMMER 2021
A Quarterly Publication of Lutheran Social Services of Northwestern Ohio
About LSS
Lutheran Social Services of Northwestern Ohio is here to provide Mental Health
and Drug and Alcohol Addiction Counseling with an array of other services.
Assisting people within a 24 county area, LSS provides hope and compassion.
With multiple service sites throughout Northwest Ohio, we serve all ages, faiths,
races and economic status with professional and confidential services.You can also read
