Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois

Simplify your life this summer by getting rid of that old car… we make it easy and tax deductible! Your old car, truck, RV, jet ski, motorcycle or boat will be picked up for free while you sit back and help children and families in need. Just visit https://lnkd.in/gV8YTA6K. #CarsforCharity

In recognition of America’s #IndependenceDay, all LCFS offices are closed. Have a happy and safe #FourthofJuly

Work at LCFS and be a champion for children and families in need. Learn what it means to work in the child welfare field and why the staff at LCFS do this important job. Visit LCFS.org/about/careers/ for current job openings. #JoinOurTeam #MakeADifference

Today, we mourn the loss of a beloved member of the LCFS family. Don’s dedication as a long-time supporter and former LCFS Foundation Board chair and member has left an indelible mark on our organization. We’re forever grateful for his faithful support and commitment to our mission. Don’s legacy lives on in every life he touched at LCFS. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and all who loved him.

This fall is our 35th Annual Harvest Festival! Mark your calendars for Friday, October 25 at Hinsdale Country Club for an evening featuring fabulous auction items, exciting raffles, must-see mission moments, delicious food and cocktails and dancing to the music of Soda. Please contact [email protected] if you’d like to donate an auction item. #GiveBack #HarvestFestival

As #PrideMonth comes to a close, please remember that LGBTQ youth and families deserve to be affirmed, seen, and loved, not only during Pride Month, but every day. LCFS believes that ALL of God’s children have the opportunity for safe, healthy and meaningful lives.

A good time was had by all at the Northern Region Picnic for foster families. We appreciate all the donors who made sure there was plenty for everyone to eat and drink! Special thanks go to Eliza Olson, Evelyn Marcus, Niko's Catering, The Landscaping Experts Inc., Walter and Diane Sharp, and Vanessa Taliferro of ADV Consulting for their generosity. Pictured are LCFS Family Resource Engagement Specialist Janet Palkon, LCFS Child Welfare Specialist Jennifer Quirk, and Eliza Olson.

Thank you so much to Minooka Women's Club who put together twenty “Birthday in a Box” packages for the children in our care at the Joliet office. Each Birthday in a Box contains everything needed for a fun birthday party, including a cake, frosting, and candles, plus napkins, plates, tablecloth, streamers and balloons, a card, and a tin for baking the cake. We appreciate your thoughtfulness! Pictured from left to right are Jean Jun, Nancy Davis, and Katie Groark.

Meet Carla*, a foster mom whose love and dedication transforms the lives of teenage girls in foster care. Currently, she is caring for four teenage girls. Each teenager brings a unique story and set of challenges, but Carla embraces them all with compassion and understanding. The youngest, Jenna, came to Carla after experiencing more than ten placements in just two years. But she found stability and a sense of belonging in Carla's home. "I want to give them the support I wish I'd had at that age," Carla shared. Her licensing worker, Leondra, admires Carla's ability to care for the teens. "I don't know what it is about her, but she always seems to be able to connect with all the youth who come into her home, no matter how challenging." What sets Carla apart is her enduring commitment to the well-being of these girls. "She never let’s go of any of the youth. She stays in their lives, and they know they can always turn to her for help," said Leondra. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our supporters. Your generosity enables us to provide essential resources to teens in foster care, ensuring they receive the love, stability and opportunities they deserve. Thank you for being a part of this journey with us! * To protect privacy, the names and images of children and adults are representational only.