Tracing its roots to 1912, LSS is a nonprofit social service agency affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and recognized by the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. LSS provides human services for all people according to their needs. These services include food pantries, emergency shelters, affordable senior housing, retirement living, skilled nursing care and other services that strengthen communities.
Yes, I would like to help LSS and its programs
I want to help those in need by giving to Lutheran Social Services, so it may continue to support the mission of Here’s my gift of: $1,000 Please Use it for: The greatest need
Creating a Better World by Serving People in Need.
$500
Other ______________________ I am interested in making an estate gift Check here if you are a Thrivent member
$100
$50
$25
Method of Payment: Check
Other______________ Visa
Mastercard
AmEx
Discover
Name on credit card (please print)__________________________________________ Card number: ____________/____________/____________/____________ Expiration Month:______________________Year_______________
LEADER
THE
Freshbox Catering, one of LSS’ three social enterprises, officially moved into “brick and mortar” status with the opening of Freshbox Café. The new café, located in the heart of downtown Columbus at 125 E. Broad St. (in the lower level of Trinity Episcopal Church), opened for business with hungry customers anxiously awaiting the delicious sandwiches and salads they have come to know and love along with a rotating variety of soups, cold side dishes and desserts. “Most of our cafe customers are folks working in the downtown area as well as visitors to the statehouse,” said Freshbox General Manager Lauren Wilson. “We have a large number of offices and organizations downtown A delicious Freshbox roast beef sandwich. already supporting Freshbox Catering and our social mission, and we have gotten great feedback that they’re excited to be able to walk over and grab some of their favorite menu items outside of their usual meetings and catered events.” The unique social enterprise business, first started in 2009, has a dual mission of providing quality food while fighting poverty with workforce training, empowering employment opportunities, and education on professional and life skills. The new Freshbox Café will be open for lunch Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., and food will be available for dine-in or carry-out.
2 014
Freshbox Catering Opens Café
Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio Newsletter
In Need of a Safe Haven
Fall Quarter
Inside President’s Message pg. 2 Providing for the Future pg. 2 LSS Receives Prestigious Award pg. 3 New Delaware County Pantry Opens pg. 3 Freshbox Catering Opens Café pg. 4
Jamilla was pregnant with her second daughter and anxiously awaiting the birth. Then her worst fears were realized. She was rushed to the hospital and had to undergo an emergency C-section. Doctors told her stress had caused complications. Jamilla knew exactly where this stress was coming from. Jamilla and her boyfriend, her daughter’s father, had been together two years. It wasn’t long before the abuse started. But with four kids, her boyfriend provided stability, and she had nowhere else to turn. Her family wasn’t in Columbus, and she didn’t want to leave town and lose her job. It was her job, in fact, that first gave her the number to CHOICES for Victims of Domestic Violence. Jamilla didn’t want to leave, even after her boyfriend threw lighter fluid on her and threatened to set her on fire. Less than a month after the birth of her daughter, she decided enough was enough. Her boyfriend had beat her until her C-section incision reopened. “I don’t want my boys to grow up thinking it’s ok to hit a woman, and I don’t want my girls to grow up thinking it’s ok to take it,” Jamilla said. Scared and on maternity leave, Jamilla brought her children to the CHOICES shelter and ended up staying two months. Her CHOICES advocate really helped. “She
October is domestic violence awareness month.
helped me set goals. I wanted to leave so many times. The first week I cried every day uncontrollably, but I stuck it out.” Jamilla said the group meetings also helped a lot. They allowed her to reflect on her life and come to the conclusion that she felt she could fix people - people like her boyfriend – when in reality she couldn’t. The sense of family at the shelter also bolstered Jamilla’s spirit. Her oldest daughter’s homecoming took place while the family was at the shelter. Other residents and staff pitched in, making sure her daughter had a dress and that her hair and makeup were done. Their support ensured her daughter had a special night, despite her present circumstances. Jamilla’s been out of the shelter for about a year now, and is making the most of her new life without the daily threat of violence. “He still calls me, but I’m not going back. I got out, and I’m never going back.”
Signature_____________________________________________________________
Please make your check payable to Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio 500 W. Wilson Bridge Rd., Ste. 245 • Worthington, Ohio 43085 Name _____________________________________________ or donate online at: www.lssco.org Address ____________________________________________ Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law. City/State/Zip_______________________________________ You will receive a receipt. Phone ( )______________________ Email_____________________________
LD1410
Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio Lutheran Social Services of Northern Ohio · Lutheran Social Services of Southern Ohio
Creating a Better World by Serving People in Need
1