Summer2011

SUMMER 2011
Visit our redesigned website to
learn more about our programs,
events and needs.
www.lutheranfamily.org
NASA Recognizes 13 Year Old Lutherwood Student
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Thirteen year
old Sage, a
Lutherwood
resident, was
handed a box of
“junk” at Martin University’s
NASA funded
SEMAA Academy. Sage was
instructed to
create a parachute using the contents of her box. None of
the Academy students were expected to succeed – only to
learn lessons of trial and error, redesign and scratching a
project. However, Sage did succeed.
Christina Schelle, Editor, The Voice
Using crepe paper, tape, cupcake liners, modeling clay and
string, Sage created a parachute. Mister Bob, Lutherwood
foster grandparent and SEMAA program liaison, said “…it
drifted beautifully through the air and landed a floor below
in the lobby. The instructor was so psyched, she ran down
the hall calling all the nearby Martin University professors
to come watch.” On the 3rd successful launch, video and
photos were taken and sent to NASA headquarters in Houston.
Lost
The head of Martin University’s SEMAA program was so
impressed by Sage’s work that she invited her to join a
special student team to design and build a 2-stage rocket to
carry a camera and other instruments a mile and a half into
space. The rocket will be launched from Kennedy Space
Flight Center at Cape Canaveral, Florida.
All of this was accomplished by a seventh grade girl who
initially thought “science was just for geeks”. With this
exposure, Sage’s science grade rose from a D to a B+!
SEMAA (Science, Engineering, Mathematics & Aerospace
Academy) is a NASA funded program housed in Martin
University’s $600,000 Aerospace Engineering Laboratory.
Lutherwood students attend this program 2 afternoons each
week. The program is designed to reach underserved youth
and encourage them to pursue careers in science and
engineering.
Lutherwood Students Share Talents
Original Poem by a Lutherwood Resident
Lost and gone
Never had a home
Everything seems to always go wrong
Broken and turned
Missing and left
I know God can see my best
Forgotten, starved and abandoned
Even though this happened
I’m still standing
Found, Change, Rearrange
I know God can heal my pain.
As part of Lutheran Child and Family Services’ summer programs, residents
participated in a talent show that included acrobatics, original poetry, singing,
dancing, piano performances, guitar playing, and a Jiggalate dance contest.
Robert P. Kassing, President
Gary R. Carlson, Vice President
Lewis Lundberg, Secretary
Cheryl Troyer, Treasurer
Sven Schumacher, Chief Executive Officer
Philip Burck
Tania Deng
Richard A. Otto
The Rev. James Stuck
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
THE FOUNDATION FOR LUTHERAN CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES, INDIANA, INC.
Tania Deng, President
Ron Thieme, Vice-President
Lewis D. Beckwith
Gary R. Carlson
Tony Firmani
Deb Freeland
Charles Hankey
Keith Hartman
Kara E. Hensley
The Rev. John Herfurth
Janet Johnson
Lewis Lundberg
Martha Schmidt
Don Scifres
Carol Shugert-Carlson
Don Wylin
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
LUTHERAN CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES
1525 N. Ritter Ave.
SUMMER 2011
Indianapolis, IN 46219
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“I’m sorry, honey. Mommy just
doesn’t have any clean diapers…”
Number Served by The
Sharing Place has
DOUBLED!
Most of us haven’t had to tell our child that we can’t make the stinging pain of diaper rash go away, but for some families in Indiana, this
is a reality.
Did you know that 1 in 3 American moms struggle with diaper need?
Can you imagine your own baby crying, but not being able to soothe
them because you don’t have a clean diaper? Think what it would be
like to only change your baby’s diaper once a day, or to rinse and reuse a dirty disposable diaper.
Lutheran Child and Family Services is pleased to announce the opening of The Sharing Place Diaper Bank. We would like to offer you
the opportunity to help us directly touch the lives of children and
families in need.
The Facts
1. A baby without a clean diaper is more likely to
experience abuse, like shaken baby syndrome.
2. A healthy change of diapers costs $100 a month.
3. No government assistance programs cover the cost
of diapers.
4. Daycare centers require disposable diapers.
Please make a gift to support The Sharing Place Diaper Bank. Because of YOUR gift, one less baby will cry because they have to stay
in a dirty diaper. Because of YOUR generosity, one less child will be
diapered in paper towels and plastic wrap. Because of YOUR caring
spirit, a mother won’t have to choose between purchasing diapers and
paying her electric bill.
After making your gift to The Sharing Place Diaper Bank, pay attention to the infants and toddlers around you—your gift might have
purchased their diaper, supported their family, and made their smile
possible.
Over 1,400 Served in July 2011
The Sharing
Place has been
busy in the last
few months!
Since April,
2011 the number of children
and adults
served has doubled. In July, The Sharing Place
provided free food and hygiene items to over
1,400 individuals and this number is steadily
increasing. This ministry is growing in amazing
ways.
Recently, many local churches, community
organizations, and individuals have stepped up
and donated food to the pantry. We truly could
not do this without the support of our community and for that, we are grateful!
Since The Sharing Place began in the 1970’s,
volunteers have been given the opportunity to
minister to those who are receiving food items.
Now, clients are able to write a prayer request
on a card, put it in the request box and the
volunteers add these
prayer requests to their
prayer lists, and even to
their churches prayer
lists. This opportunity
allows clients to receive
more than just food
from their visit to The
Sharing Place.
Current Needs at The Sharing Place
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Diapers (sizes 1-5)
Toilet paper
Bar soap
Dish soap
Deodorant
Shampoo
Conditioner
Paper towels
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Tooth brushes (adult & child)
Toothpaste
Tuna
Canned chicken breast
Juice
Cereal
Mashed potatoes
Crackers
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Rice
Pork and beans
Dried pasta
Canned pasta
Children's socks and underwear
Grocery store gift cards
Lutherwood Teen Discovers Success Through Hard Work
Michael, a
long-time client
of Lutheran
Child and Family Services,
came here with
little left to
lose. He
dropped out of
high school and
had no where to turn. He followed the
guidelines provided for him and successfully made it through the program,
and those who worked with Michael
couldn’t be more proud.
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and perseverance—and a strong desire
to become a success story. And, a success story he is. Michael moved from
Lutherwood to Trinity House Group
Home where he thrived.
After 36 weeks in the program, Michael
earned his GED, moved out of Trinity
House and moved into his own apartment, where he is doing very well.
Before he left, Michael was given the
chance to eat breakfast with Governor
He became one of only 34 young men Mitch Daniels and a small group from
and women accepted into the
Lutheran Child and Family Services in
YouthBuild program and began work- the Governor’s office. Michael stepped
ing towards his GED. YouthBuild is a up and told his story to the Governor in
program that offers the opportunity to a way that proved he had truly learned a
earn an internationally-recognized con- lot during his time with Lutheran Child
struction skills credential, leadership
and Family Services. We are truly
and life skills, and prepare for college blessed to have been a part of his life.
or a career in the construction industry.
Michael took full advantage of the
Beginning as a resident of Lutherwood, opportunities afforded him.
Michael didn’t find every day easy, but
made it through with a bit of hard work
RSL! Outfits Over 200
Children for School
With your help Lutheran Child and
Family Services has already provided 500 school uniforms
through Ready, Set, Learn! – and
we aren’t done yet. Your support
helped us raise over $8,000 to
purchase school supplies and
school uniforms.
These supplies and uniforms are
being given to clients of The Sharing Place, children
living at Lutherwood, and students attending the
Indianapolis Public School’s ROOTS program on
our campus. Please keep your donations coming!
Throughout the school year, Lutherwood outfits all
newly admitted children with
school uniforms and supplies.
No matter how large or small
your gift to Ready, Set, Learn!,
you made a difference in the life
of a local child. You helped
them get ready and set –to learn!
Thank you for your generosity!
Did you know that over
1/3 of all Indiana residents can trace their roots
back to Germany?
Pictured left: Sven
Schumacher and Governor Mitch Daniels attending the Indiana State
Fair’s Willkommen to
Germany exhibit. This
exhibit presents traditional and contemporary
Germany and the country's close ties with
Indiana.
Thank you to Bethlehem
Lutheran Church for
donating 20 boxes of
food as part of their first
annual “Helping Hams”
project. Twenty families, who are part of our
community-based
services, received boxes
full of canned and boxed
food, as well as a large
ham. A special thanks to Jim Capron and Carl Crabiel for delivering the boxes to Lutheran Child and Family Services.
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Generous Grants Received
by Lutheran Child and Family Services and
The Foundation for Lutheran Child and Family Services
Lutheran Child and Family Services is continually proud and grateful to be a United Way
of Central Indiana Community Partner. This spring, UWCI generously granted nearly
$5,000 to The Foundation for Lutheran Child and Family Services for some much-needed
technology updates.
Please join The Foundation for Lutheran Child and Family Services in celebrating all of the
programs provided to our community at a gala event this April, 2012. This event features
Sean Tuohy, subject of The Blind Side and author of In a Heartbeat: Sharing the Power of
Cheerful Giving and will take place at the new JW Marriott. Please keep your eyes open for
more event information and ticket prices. We look forward to seeing you there!
Thank you to the Beck Foundation for its generous $17,000 grant to support Lutherwood’s
SEED program. The grant will help the SEED program reach its goal of building a community of healing where relationships with God, self and others are renewed and restored.
New Program Offers Families Tools
to Succeed Through Innovative
Supervised Visitation Program
Because of a generous $3,000 grant from Christ Church Cathedral Women The Sharing
Place Food Pantry and Diaper Bank will continue to assist the growing number of hungry
children and adults in our community. In the month of July, 2011, The Sharing Place
provided free food and diapers to 1,421 individuals in need.
Lutheran Child and Family
Services is pleased to announce
a new multi-year contract with
the State of Indiana. This new
community based program
offers an innovative approach to
supervised visitation on Lutherwood’s 9-acre campus. Instead
of a traditional supervised visitation model that creates feelings
of shame, fear and anger,
Lutheran Child and Family Services’ program focuses on
developing positive parenting skills through coaching and
modeling during visitation time. This program provides
families with tools needed to succeed and keep children
with their own families. The program’s goal is to assist
families with building and maintaining attachment.
Once again Lilly Endowment, Inc. has generously supported the summer program at
Lutherwood Residential Treatment Center with an $8,000 grant. This summer program
provides recreation opportunities for our youth.
Without the support of a $1,000 grant from Hook Drug Foundation, the summer at Lutherwood would have been a little less exciting. With the Foundation’s support, Lutherwood
residents were able to enjoy many community activities including trips to the movies and
YMCA, canal walks, trips to the swimming pool and skating rink, and library visits.
Pictured left: Summer recreation
at Lutherwood
Our Mission:
Please remember
The Foundation for
Lutheran Child and Family
Services in your will
or estate plan.
Look What’s Coming in 2012!
In response to God’s love
and grace in Jesus Christ,
Lutheran Child and Family
Services serves human needs
with the support of the
church and community by
providing programs of
compassionate care and
counsel to enhance dignity
and quality of life.
Pictured right: Employees, board members and
LFCS friends had
breakfast with Governor
Mitch Daniels and
shared the good news of
our programs and ministries.
Lutheran Child and Family Services Community Based
Programs provides visitation in a safe and nurturing
environment building and supporting attachment between
children and their caregivers. This new program provides
hands-on training for parents and creates opportunities to
apply new skills in a safe setting. Lutheran Child and
Family Services is now offering this proactive model
aimed at creating healthy, whole families.
“Even if I knew that tomorrow the
world would go to pieces, I would
still plant my apple tree.” – Martin
Luther
Lutheran Child and Family Services welcomed President Daniel
May to campus this spring. President May led a weekly chapel service and planted an apple tree on
campus. The tree was planted in
memory of President May’s father,
who was a Lutherwood resident.
European Christmas Markets Tour
December 3-11, 2011
Join Sven Schumacher, German native and the Honorary
Counsul to the Federal Republic of Germany in Indiana, to
discover the magic of historical Christmas Markets in
southern Germany, Strasbourg, France and Innsbruck,
Austria. These original and authentic holiday markets,
held outdoors in cities, towns, and villages throughout
Europe since the Middle Ages, are still joyful occasions
for locals and travelers to celebrate the holiday season
with shopping, food and drink.
For more information, including pricing, contact Ambassadair at (317) 581.1122 or visit www.ambassadair.com.
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A Busy Summer at Lutheran Child and Family Services
Pictured above: A small group gathered in Columbus this
June to take part in a tour of the Miller Home, which
House Beautiful magazine, termed “America’s most significant modernist house.” While there, guests were able
to hear more about Lutheran Child and Family Services,
including the many programs and services provided to the
community.
Pictured above: Lutherwood Society event attendees prepare to learn more about Lutheran Child and Family Services and various wines of Germany, while attending an
invitation-only party at the home of Phil and Karen Burck.
Lutheran Child and Family
Services supporters
gathered for refreshments
following the 2011 Stakeholders Meeting. The
Stakeholders Meeting was
held Saturday, June 25th in
Lutherwood Chapel.
Thank you to the volunteers
from Target on East Washington Street, in Indianapolis, for
helping repaint therapy rooms
at Lutheran Child and Family
Services on June 21st.
27th Annual Golf Outing
Our Biggest Yet!
Over 110 golfers beat the heat
at the 27th Annual Lutherwood Golf Outing. The
outing, held again at Old
Oakland Golf Club, was the
biggest golf outing to date
and raised more than $25,000
towards the programs and
ministries provided by
Lutheran Child and Family
Services.
This year was no different
than in the past, and there was
a friendly competition among
the various church foursomes
as to who was going to take
home the traveling trophy.
More than 12 different church
teams were represented, but
only one could go home with
the win. Trinity Lutheran
Church, with the help of
5
Lutheran Child and Family
Services board member, Pastor John Herfurth walked
away with both the church
traveling trophy AND the
overall win.
Be sure to mark your calendars now for another June
outing at Old Oakland Golf
Club. We hope to see you on
the course!
The outing could not have been as successful without these generous contributors.
Lutheran Child and Family
Services welcomed volunteers
from Eli Lilly on May 5th. This
hardworking group cleaned up
our grounds after the long winter.
Thank you to the volunteers from Cassidy Turley
for helping spruce up our
campus. These generous volunteers moved furniture,
patched and painted walls, and cleaned up campus. We
were lucky enough to welcome volunteers two days in
June.
The Sertoma Club of
Pictured above: Lutherwood was happy to welcome volunteers from Carmel Lutheran Church on Saturday, July 30th.
This group of 25+ junior high school students and their parents painted hallways in Lutherwood Academy in preparation
for the new school year, cleaned up campus, and tidied the small fleet of vehicles.
Dr. and Mrs. Gary Carlson
Tom and Evelyn Seeley
Rick and Catherine Brown
Indianapolis Colts
Climb Time Indy
Yellow Rose Carriages
Dave and Buster’s
Eiteljorg Museum
Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari
Children’s Museum Indianapolis
Zelma’s Restaurant
Great Times Family Fun Park
Mike’s Express Car Wash
Indiana Repertory Theatre
Indianapolis Art Center
Mitchell’s Fish Market
Gordon Food Service
Renaissance North Hotel
Indiana Ice
JW Marriott Indianapolis
Grand Victoria Casino & Resort
Indianapolis Indians
Petite Chou
Sparkling Image Car Wash
Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza
Indianapolis Pacers
White Castle Restaurants
Indianapolis Zoo
Copper Kettle Inn
Conner Prairie
The Great Frame Up