History

Our History

• 1880s: The origin of LSS can be traced to 1882 when Pastor E.J. Homme opened a home for orphaned children in Wittenberg, Wis.

• 1960s: Until the 1960s, the organization primarily provided child welfare services and programs for single mothers. Then, about 45 years ago, LSS contracted with state and local governments to help people in need. This partnership initiated a rapid expansion of offerings to the community.

• 1970s: In 1973, we opened our first group home, which served older children who required treatment foster care.

• 1980s: In 1980, LSS initiated programs to assist persons with chronic mental illness. Services for those with developmental disabilities began in 1984.

• 1990s: The 1990s saw an increased focus on international adoption.

  In 1997, LSS started the Family Partnerships Initiative in response to requests from rural communities. This innovative program is designed to creatively meet the needs of troubled adolescents and their families and keep them together.

• 2000s: LSS opened Homme-Neillsville, as part of LSS' Homme Youth and Family Programs. Homme-Neillsville serves teens with emotional, behavioral or addiction issues in Neillsville, Wis.

  LSS contracted with the state to provide service coordination for nearly 180 children with autism with the Children's Long-Term Support Waiver administered by the Department of Health and Family Services. The program spans 12 counties in Wisconsin.

  With the closing of the Northern Center - a state-run institution, LSS opened residential facilities for people with special needs. These facilities house up to 40 individuals, many of whom will live in their own homes for the first time.

  Seeing a need and lack of availability of specialized therapy for children suffering from attachment disorders led LSS to develop an attachment therapy program. LSS is proud to offer this service to families in multiple office locations throughout Wisconsin and Upper Michigan.

  LSS was proud to partner with the Thompson Community Center in Appleton, Wis. to run a variety of older adult programming out of that location.

  Most recently, LSS has developed new lines of service to better serve our communities. These include Urban Ministries and Prison Ministries.

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