A better Minnesota begins with all of us

At the heart of Minnesota is a simple truth: we show up for each other.

That idea – neighbors helping neighbors – isn’t just our founding story at Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota. It’s the reason we continue to exist. In 1865, our founders sought to institutionalize a core belief: that loving your neighbor should guide our shared life. Today, 160 years later, that belief still brings people together from across the political, cultural and spiritual spectrums to serve a mission bigger than any one of us.  I talk to thousands of Minnesotans each year, and I’m consistently struck by the wide range of political views, careers, life stages, and geographies they represent — yet they are all motivated by the desire to help others create a better future.

All of us want to contribute to a better Minnesota. We may disagree on what needs to change, or how. But the desire to help others unites us, and it’s the “why” behind everything we do at LSS.

Across our state, people are stepping up and paying attention to long-standing problems and emerging challenges. Whether it’s youth homelessness, aging support or support for individuals with identified needs, traditional solutions aren’t meeting today’s needs as well as they could, and people are ready for something new. In challenging times, it’s easy to retreat or protect what we have. But something our CEO Patrick Thueson says often has stuck with me: The best way to predict the future is to create it.

That’s what our Empower What’s Possible campaign is about. Our five-year, $100 million campaign will expand and innovate LSS’ service offerings to meet the current and emerging needs of Minnesotans. It’s not just about improving LSS – it’s about building a stronger, more effective system of social care across Minnesota. As one of the largest human services organizations in the state, impacting more than 91,000 Minnesotans each year through more than 25 different types of services, LSS knows firsthand that our communities’ needs are always evolving. Continuing with the status quo isn’t enough, and we need to deliver social services in a smarter way that meets the moment. Through innovation, investment in facilities and piloting new programs, we’re acting boldly to address the critical needs our neighbors are facing in housing, behavioral health and well-being, early childhood and more.  To date, we’ve received an incredible $60 million dollars in support of these priorities.  I’m humbled by the generosity of so many who have of stepped up for their neighbors across Minnesota.

This work is deeply rooted in a legacy of generosity. Philanthropy – whether given through financial means, volunteering time or advocacy – is how we live out that neighborly call today. Through this campaign, we’re creating ways for people to directly shape the future for individuals and communities across our state. When people understand the reality of the lives we’re impacting, it changes them. And I believe giving, however you define it, can enrich the lives of those who give just as much as those who receive.

LSS’ mission is to inspire hope, change lives and build community.  It resonates with many, and I’m fortunate to work with countless partners to grow our work. But, it may not be the right fit for your community work.  I hope you find your own way to show up for your neighbors. If we all follow that impulse, we can shape a brighter future for Minnesota – a future of greater self-sufficiency and more potential for our neighbors.