Advocacy at LSS

Standing with Wisconsinites so every person can live with dignity, belonging, and opportunity.

For more than 140 years, Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan has stood alongside individuals and families facing life's challenges.

Today, we bring those experiences into advocacy efforts that strengthen communities and create opportunities for all.

Our advocacy is not about politics. It is about people. It is about ensuring that the systems meant to support children, families, and adults are responsive, compassionate, and effective.

You Can Speak Up.

You Are Heard.

You will Create Change.

Why We Advocate

As a 140-year organization, Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan (LSS) has listened, learned from, and walked alongside countless individuals and families across generations and backgrounds as they experienced some of life’s most difficult moments. We advocate today because the people we serve are more than the challenges they face. They are neighbors of infinite worth who deserve dignity, belonging, and the chance to heal, grow, contribute, and reach their full potential. Our history has taught us that strong communities begin when people have the opportunity to thrive.

Rooted in our values of compassion, courage, co-creation, and change our advocacy brings together the voices of the people we serve, our colleagues, ministry partners, supporters, community collaborators, and policymakers. Together, we advance practical solutions that remove barriers, expand opportunity, and strengthen Wisconsin communities.

As a nonpartisan social services organization, LSS brings frontline experience, trusted relationships, and community-informed perspectives to public policy conversations.

 

Our Goal is simple:

Open pathways so every person can live with dignity, experience belonging, and realize their full potential.

Our Advocacy Priorities

LSS focuses our advocacy on the issues we understand best through our work with nearly 30,000 individuals annually along with their families and caregivers.

Our current priorities include the following: social services workforce, mental health and substance use disorder treatment, affordable housing, opportunities for children and youth, and access to Medicaid-funded services.

 

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Social Services Workforce

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Mental Health & Substance Use Treatment

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Affordable Housing

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Foster & Kinship Care

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Access to Medicaid-Funded Services

How We Advocate

LSS elevates the voices of the people we serve, bringing their priorities to policymakers and the public to help advance solutions that reflect real human needs, improve lives and strengthen communities.

Through education, coalition-building, community partnerships, and supporter engagement, we work across sectors and with leaders to address complex needs and create meaningful change.

 

 

 

Let's Advocate Together

Whether you are a client, colleague, donor, ministry partner, policymaker, or community member, your voice can help advance dignity, belonging, and opportunity for Wisconsinites.

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