

It’s helpful to look at where we’ve been and where we are to consider where we are going. I recently wrote about the growth in our budget, thus in our ministry. That caused us to go back and research where we’ve come from.
Our most recent independent audit indicated Lutheran Services Carolinas (LSC) has $421 million in total assets, including $227 million in physical property. In the first audit on record, 1969, we had $681,000 in total assets, all property. That is quite the growth! Revenue has grown from $118,000
to $190 million!
The first recorded room rate for skilled nursing was $5.75 a day. Today that range is between $288 to $439 per day! Of course, over 60 years have transpired, and our quaint little rest home is now a complex health care community.
It costs a great deal to operate LSC, especially because of the 24/7 nature of much of our ministry. In the most recent year, LSC spent $103 million just for teammate
salaries and benefits! We bought over $4.7 million in food, and our power bills totaled over $1.7 million. It costs a lot to keep the lights on!
The dollars don’t matter to me, except as an indicator of how much ministry LSC provides across the Carolinas. Behind every dollar spent lies a story of love, compassion, and unwavering commitment to our mission. From foster children to refugees to seniors, LSC’s ministry continues to serve where the need is greatest. LSC is big business to provide big ministry.
Longtime LSC teammates Marcheta Campbell and Kendra Hendren have assumed new roles within LSC.
After 10 years as administrator of Trinity Village in Hickory, North Carolina, Campbell recently became the administrator of Tsali Care Center in Cherokee. She remains an LSC teammate, playing a crucial role in a recently expanded partnership between LSC and The Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority to enhance the authority’s services and impact.
“The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and LSC have a long relationship that has created synergy,” remarked President and CEO Ted Goins. “We welcome the opportunity to work more closely together on what is most important: caring for our elders.”
“Opening a new, state-of-the-art facility in September to serve even more community members is so exciting,” Campbell said. “It’s a lot of work and a lot of long hours of planning and preparation for the transition.
I am most excited about the many abundant living opportunities residents will have in their new home.”
Hendren was promoted from assistant administrator to administrator of Trinity Village. With 10 years of service at Trinity Village, she brings a wealth of experience
and a deep commitment to delivering quality care to her new role.
In a letter to residents’ families, Hendren stated, “I am committed to fostering a strong sense of community within Trinity Village, where families feel supported and our neighbors feel cherished.”
On the cover: Iris Escalante Garcia, lead teacher in LSC’s Transitional Foster Care program for Unaccompanied Children, is the 2023 recipient of LSC child & family services’ You Are the Key Award.
LSC’s Asheville, North Carolina, New Americans Program office recently received an Employer Engagement grant from the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) to help local employers enrich and deepen work opportunities for refugees and other qualified immigrants. It was one of only 25 programs nationwide to receive the renewable federal grant, which totals $861,000 over three years.
The grant enables LSC to form partnerships with employers within a 100-mile radius of Asheville. “We are so excited to partner with employers to help refugees succeed in their transition to the American workplace,” said Resettlement Director Hanna Demarcus.
LSC’s Asheville New Americans Program office will partner with at least five employers per year to provide English language classes and training in health and safety, financial and digital literacy, and soft skills to ORR-eligible employees. The program also provides onboarding assistance, interpretation services, and cultural awareness training for employers. ORR serves refugees, asylees, Special Immigrant Visa holders, survivors of torture and human trafficking, and certain immigrants from countries such as Afghanistan, Ukraine, Cuba, and Haiti.
LSC has already helped legal immigrants from Afghanistan and Ukraine find jobs with local manufacturing, hospitality, and retail employers. With training supported by the
new grant, New Americans Program will be able to advance from entry-level positions such as assembly line work, dishwashing, and housekeeping to more highly skilled jobs such as quality control, front desk receptionist, and CDL driver.
LSC has signed an agreement with one local employer, and several more agreements are pending.
“It’s been a pleasure working with our New American employees,” said David Roover, Chief Growth Officer of Quartz Properties, which has hired several Ukrainian and Afghan refugees through LSC. “LSC is helping us translate our training materials into Russian, and we have already elevated one employee to a supervisory role.”
Our Lutheran Services Carolinas team had an exciting Saturday morning riding on the float during the Wilmington Azalea Festival Parade in April. Teammates and residents from Trinity Landing, Trinity Grove, and LSC foster care foster families came out to enjoy the day and spread the good news about LSC.
LSC welcomed four new board members in the last year: Rev. Dr. Leroy Cannon, Rev. Dr. Alfredo M. Oviedo, Dr. Avery Staley, and Brian J. Van Horn.
Rev. Dr. Leroy Cannon joined the Board in 2023. The first Black man ordained in the South Carolina Synod, ELCA, Rev. Dr. Cannon holds Master of Education and Master of Divinity degrees and has been a rostered minister since 1979. He currently works at Reformation Lutheran Church Columbia; he has also served as a Synod leader and is involved with the Synod’s Inclusiveness Network. Rev. Dr. Cannon and his wife, Helen, live in Columbia, South Carolina, where he enjoys reading and gardening. They have two grown children.
Rev. Dr. Alfredo M. Oviedo joined the Board in 2024. He is Assistant to the Bishop for Leadership in the North Carolina Synod, ELCA, and has been a rostered minister since 2014. An immigrant from Mexico, Rev. Oviedo came to the ELCA after a childhood in the Roman Catholic Church and time in the Baptist tradition. He holds Master of Divinity and Master of Liberal Arts degrees,
as well as a Doctor of Ministry. Rev. Oviedo and his wife, Alejandrina, live in Hendersonville, North Carolina, where he enjoys reading, computers, and soccer and pursues his passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion and Christian ethics. The Oviedos have three grown children and one deceased child.
Dr. Avery Staley joined the Board in 2024. He is the inaugural Vice President For Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, North Carolina. He assumed this role in 2021 after holding administrative leadership roles at Livingstone College in Salisbury and serving as senior advisor and special counsel to former North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Walter Dalton. Dr. Staley holds a master’s degree and a Juris Doctor. He and his wife, Erika, live in Mooresville, North Carolina, where he enjoys reading, golfing, music, and spending time with their two daughters. The family attends Soldiers Memorial AME Zion Church in Salisbury.
Brian J. Van Horn joined the Board in 2023. Currently the Chief Financial Officer of Tradesmen International LLC, he has
also served in financial leadership roles with ScentAir Technologies, Aramark, General Electric, and other organizations. Van Horn lives in Mooresville, North Carolina, with his wife, Margaret, where they attend St. Mark’s Lutheran Church. A University of Kentucky alumnus, Van Horn enjoys exercising, watching the Wildcats, and spending time with the couple’s three children.
From home-baked snacks to handmade blankets, a little extra love can go a long way. And that’s exactly what Trinity Living Center (TLC) participants and teammates are providing to creative arts students at Henderson Independent High School, a public alternative learning program in Salisbury, N.C.
For the past several years, Henderson students have worked with artists from Salisbury’s Center for Faith & the Arts to build positive self-expression skills. Through the Center’s Class Act program, Artist-in-Residence Shane Manier and other professionals lead the students in creative projects such as painting and poetry — practicing skills like conflict resolution and anger management along the way. “We’ve had two students decide to leave a gang situation as a result of this program,” Manier says.
But as with so many small nonprofit pro-
grams, Class Act operates on a limited budget — which is why an in-kind partnership with TLC was a win for everyone involved.
“We’re happy to provide snacks for the art students each week,” says TLC Life Enrichment Specialist Andrea Moore. “I work with our folks to make cupcakes, cookies, and popcorn for the kids, and we include little
notes of encouragement. It’s a great way for our participants to feel they’re making a difference in the wider community.”
One TLC participant recently crocheted a blanket for every student in the arts program. Pastor Jill King, the chaplain at Trinity Oaks senior living community, blessed the blankets before they were presented to students.
“Many of our students are in foster care situations and don’t get to spend time with their families of origin during the holidays. Some of them don’t receive Christmas gifts,” notes Manier. “When we delivered the blankets to the students, I expected some of the boys to think they were ‘uncool’ - but the boys were the most excited of all!”
“Little gestures like snacks and blankets mean so much,” Manier adds. “Knowing there are people in the community who care makes our students feel empowered. It helps them develop a positive sense of self.”
The Worker of Wonders (WOW) Award was created to recognize volunteers across LSC who demonstrate significant dedication and service to the LSC ministry. Two WOW Awards are presented each year — one in North Carolina and one in South Carolina.
The 2023 North Carolina WOW Award was presented to Steve and Susan Cottraux of Salisbury at the Piedmont Shepherd Society Dinner on September 18.
Steve and Susan Cottraux lead weekly Bible devotions and singing in several LSC communities including Trinity Oaks assisted living, Trinity Oaks health and rehab, and Trinity Living Center. Each month, they also provide respite care for Alzheimer’s patients while their spouses attend the Rowan Alzheimer’s Support Group. The Cottrauxs were nominated by Bill Johnson, executive director of Trinity Oaks.
“Steve and Susan love their ministry and are committed to serving our residents,” Johnson noted. “The time, money, and preparation they put into their programs is priceless! They allow paid caregivers a few minutes to attend to another need — and caregiving spouses to have quality time with others who share similar experiences. This monthly respite would not be possible without their support.”
The Cottrauxs are such dedicated volunteers that they’ve even returned early from vacation to avoid missing a scheduled program. They often bring their dog, Molly — a former resident of Trinity Oaks assisted living — along with them.
“It is an honor and a privilege to be able to volunteer with such an amazing organization as Lutheran Services Carolinas,” Susan Cot-
traux said. “Steve and I enjoy all the residents and we are glad to help them in any way possible. As I have always said, nothing really matters as much in this life as your relationships with other people. If you can help,
be kind, and lighten someone’s load, you are doing a wonderful thing. Steve and I hope we can continue to volunteer in all areas and spread joy around to our residents anywhere we can in the Carolinas.”
The South Carolina WOW Award for 2023 was presented to Tom Disbrow of West Columbia during the Columbia Shepherd Society Luncheon on September 22. Disbrow was nominated by Sarah Lewis, community engagement coordinator for LSC’s New Americans Program in Columbia.
Disbrow was interested in starting a Circle of Welcome at his church. When it did not materialize, he decided to volunteer as an individual and promised to advocate with his church on behalf of refugees.
He has been better than his word: A remarkable advocate, Disbrow was a major factor in the success of the New Americans Program’s 2022 World Refugee Day in Columbia. He arranged for his church to rent the bounce house/water slide and he personally handled the setup.
What’s more, Disbrow is always available to assist — and he has a truck! He has helped with countless refugee arrivals and, with his wife, Lee Disbrow, he has provided many rounds of groceries and meals as well as transport to ESL classes, medical appointments, and fingerprinting appointments in Charleston.
“Jesus, living in us, transforms our hearts for service,” Disbrow said. “Volunteering for Lutheran Services Carolinas is an opportunity to allow the love of Christ to flow through us, as best we can, into people experiencing an extremely challenging time in their lives. Our church, Trinity Baptist Church of Cayce, is always open to involvement with ministries that support the community and spread the Name of Jesus.”
Lewis noted, “We are so very grateful
for Tom, and we love how he has brought the needs of refugees in front of his church
time and again. He is an advocate and a servant, and we’re grateful to know him.”
On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse moved across North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
LSC residents, clients, and teammates celebrated in a variety of ways. From eating Moon Pies and drinking Sun Drop, to learning all about science, it was an exciting day for all.
The Piedmont in North Carolina saw approximately 85% totality. Here is a photo at the peak at 3:15 p.m.
Iris Escalante Garcia was presented with the You Are the Key Award by LSC CEO Ted Goins and LSC Chief Operating Officer Kesha Smith during the South Carolina child and family services Christmas party. Pictured left to right: LSC Vice President of Child and Family Services Myra Griffie, LSC Board Member David Turner, LSC SC Child Services Director Julie Hood, LSC Transitional Foster Care for Unaccompanied Children Program Director Sara Ramsey, Garcia, Goins, Smith, and LSC Executive Director of Community and Rehabilitative Services Bethany Vause.
Iris Escalante Garcia receives 2023 You Are the Key Award
At LSC, we often say that our stories bring us together. This adage has special meaning for Iris Escalante Garcia, recipient of LSC child & family services’ 2023 You Are the Key Award. Garcia is the lead teacher for LSC’s Transitional Foster Care program for Unaccompanied Children (TFC-UC), and she shares a unique bond with her pupils: She arrived in the United States alone at the tender age of 11.
The children of TFC-UC are all under 18 and have arrived in the United States without a parent or guardian. They come in search of safety, hoping to reunite with family members who are already here. Most are fleeing violence, abuse, neglect, or abandonment in their countries of origin — predominantly Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. They speak little to no English and, unless they find their way to a program like TFC-UC, they may be forced to wait in detention facilities or shelters.
TFC-UC places its young clients in carefully vetted, loving foster homes in the Columbia, South Carolina area while they await reunification — a process that can take 10 to 30 days. During that time, LSC ensures they receive proper medical care and provides personalized case management, mental health services with certified clinicians, and a culturally competent bilingual education spearheaded by Garcia and her team.
“I believe this job was sent by God,” said Garcia, who joined LSC in March of 2023.
“Previously, I taught for five years in the Lexington One school district [in Lexington, South Carolina],” she recalled. “My mother and daughter both got sick, and I left teaching to be home with them. In 2022, my family was looking for a Christmas volunteer project, and my oldest daughter found LSC. We donated hygiene kits to the New Americans Program in Columbia.”
“Then we followed LSC on Facebook and learned that [TFC-UC] was looking for a teacher,” Garcia added. “I started filling out the application, but I didn’t finish it. LSC saw the email address on my unfinished application and reached out to me. And the rest is history!”
The You Are the Key Award recognizes an exceptional LSC teammate who embodies all the qualities of the LSC Way, our culture of exceptional customer service: leading
by example, serving joyfully, communicating consistently, welcoming all, and ensuring abundant living for all.
When nominating her, Garcia’s teammates spoke in glowing terms.
“Iris is always smiling and laughing with the kids, which helps them feel comfortable and adjust quickly after their long journeys from the southern border,” said TFC-UC Program Director Sara Ramsey. “Her joy is contagious and makes a huge impact. When we call to check after they are discharged from our program, children always ask, ‘¿Cómo está mi maestra?’ meaning ‘how is my teacher?’”
“The children in this program are so close to my heart because I was one of them,” Garcia said. “I came to the U.S. alone from Honduras looking for my mother, who had come here for better opportunities.”
Garcia knows firsthand that education can transform lives.
“Many immigrants immediately go to work to send money home,” she noted. “College may not feel like an option. I was working my way up in school administration — as a clerk, then in guidance, and then overseeing the PowerSchool system — when I heard about a night class program that helps minorities become teachers. I decided, why not? And in 2018, as a 40-year-old mom, I graduated from college with a teaching certificate.”
Garcia is quick to credit her support network.
“I am so moved and grateful to receive this award,” she said. “My husband and mother have been so helpful, and I couldn’t do this work without my colleagues.”
Client turnover is rapid — last year, TFC-UC served 103 children — and Garcia’s team works seamlessly to maximize impact.
“We can have up to 24 students at a time, and their ages can range from 4 to 17,” said Garcia. “They arrive speaking Spanish and some dialects. We teach all the ages together and tailor the curriculum to each child’s needs.”
The work is a labor of love, and emotions are part of the job.
“The best thing is when a new student begins to relax, feel safe, and enjoy school,” Garcia reflected. “The most difficult thing is saying goodbye. As teachers, we are not allowed to stay in touch with students after reunification. It’s a very happy thing for them — and although we miss them, we are happy for them too.”
At the 2021 North Carolina ELCA Synod Assembly, LSC kicked off the congregational phase of the Be The Light campaign designed to expand and enhance our child and family services program in North Carolina.
With close to $3,000,000 raised, LSC has been able to accomplish several campaign projects: increase foster parent recruitment, open a new full-time residence for those with traumatic brain injury (TBI), equip foster care case managers with mobile technology, start the new integrated model of care for clients with TBI, establish a permanent residency and citizenship legal fund for refugees and immigrants, and start the For the Children Endowment. Your compassion has brought light to our communities.
“The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” — JOHN 1:5
Thanks to the Be The Light campaign, LSC’s foster care recruiters have all the information they need for foster families at the touch of their fingertips.
“The donation of tablets has significantly benefited case managers in the field by enhancing their efficiency and productivity. With tablets, case managers can access important information and resources on-the-go, allowing them to provide real-time support to families and children we serve. They have improved the effectiveness of case managers in delivering timely and quality support to those in need.”
— Nakia Batts Womack, LSC Executive DirectorChildren’s ServicesAnother goal of Be The Light was to create a statewide foster family recruitment program in North Carolina. Thanks to your support, LSC was able to hire a supervisor, a data specialist, and three new foster family recruiters (in the Hickory, Wilmington, and Fayetteville areas) to join our existing recruiters (in Charlotte, Winston-Salem, and Raleigh). Below is a story from a family who was recently recruited.
“My partner and I really wanted to be parents — we felt like that was our calling — but we struggled with infertility for several years. I work in the children’s mental health field, and foster care stories just melted my heart. So, we talked about it and decided to become foster parents. We attended parenting classes together and were licensed last May. In August, we began fostering two young sisters. The girls are amazing — and LSC has been so helpful! Our LSC Foster Care recruiter is the sweetest person. We’ve received grace and support through the whole process. With foster care, we don’t always know what will happen next, but the girls have a safe home with us no matter what.”
Since the opening of Moretz Manor in 2021, 7 individuals with traumatic brain injuries have called Moretz Manor home.
One goal of LSC’s Be The Light campaign launched in 2021 is to create a new, integrated model of care for our clients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Thanks to generous donations, LSC was able to hire Blythe Griffin, RN, as TBI liaison last June — and the integrated care model is already bearing fruit.
Griffin received her Bachelor of Science in nursing from East Carolina University and completed a nursing externship in a neonatal intensive care unit (ICU). She spent the first eight years of her nursing career in the pediatric ICU at Duke University Hospital and several more as a pediatric/neonatal ICU “floater” at UNC Health in Chapel Hill.
Nursing runs in Griffin’s family. “My mom was a nurse, and like her, I had a heart to help people through healthcare,” she explained. “I saw acute cases of TBI on the pediatric unit, but I never got to see how those patients progressed after they left the hospital. When this position opened up at LSC, it seemed like a great opportunity.”
Griffin spends about half of her time traveling to LSC’s group homes for adults with TBI: Lippard Lodge in Winston-Salem, Whittecar Home in Raleigh, and Moretz Manor in Durham. Each home has six beds, and Griffin works with all of the clients and their families or guardians. Her work is vitally important.
“TBI patients have the potential to get better, but for many it’s a lifelong challenge — and there are behavioral health issues like depression that go along with TBI,” she noted. “Health care providers are typically concerned with treating medical issues. Information from the primary care provider isn’t always relayed to psychologists, neurologists, and therapists, and vice versa. My job is to help bridge that gap.”
Griffin attends team meetings at the residential programs to collaborate with direct care workers and clinicians. She and the group home program director meet in person
or virtually with each client and/or their parent or guardian. They discuss what’s working, the issues the client is facing, and how LSC can help. Then Griffin works with primary care providers and specialists to adjust the approach to treatment.
“One of our clients was coming up on the 2-year anniversary of his injury,” recalled Griffin. “He was starting to lose hope and showing signs of depression. I worked with his guardian and the program director to fit more activities he enjoyed into his schedule. He started talk therapy and music therapy and began going to the gym. He is feeling much better about things now; his guardian has reached out several times to thank me.”
Much of Griffin’s work involves listening, advocacy, and problem solving — the same skills that made her a successful pediatric
nurse. “I’m able to connect, slow down, and ensure our clients are heard,” she said.
When Griffin isn’t meeting with clients and care providers or training teammates on techniques such as administering medicine, she is busy planning for the future. “In Year 1, I’m focusing on relationship building and education. Our clients don’t all see the same providers, so there are a lot of relationships to build,” she said. “In Year 2, I’ll be working on electronic health records to improve communication among care providers.”
Griffin brings thought, care, and individualized attention to her work. “I’ve really enjoyed getting to know the clients,” she noted. “Each one is unique.”
“TBI is not an easy journey,” she added. “It feels good knowing that I can help make a difference.”
The Be The Light campaign has made a significant impact by establishing LSC’s For the Children Endowment Fund. This enduring fund will illuminate the path for years to come, aiding LSC in meeting the critical needs of children in North Carolina. A portion of the endowment’s annual returns will be strategically allocated to support essential services for children, precisely where they are most needed.
Kathy Knecht, recognizing the profound
significance of this initiative, seized the perfect moment to designate a planned gift to the endowment fund. Her contribution will continue to radiate hope and support for generations to come!
“Family and children’s ministries and programs have always been close to my heart. In graduate school for my master’s in social work at UNC (University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill) my concentration was Family and Children. My career in social services saw
16 of my 30 years spent in services to children and families (adoptions, foster care and homes, day care, protective service and a federal project focused on youth). During this time, I also served for 12 years on the Board of Lutheran Family Services (now part of LSC) providing care for refugee families, and an expansion of the foster care program with a ‘no reject and no eject’ policy for foster children. I feel strongly that families and children need to be supported both emotionally and financially.”
• We are so very grateful for the congregations who participated in the LSC Be The Light campaign even while adapting to the unknowns of congregational life after the pandemic. You truly have been and are light for those children and families in NC who need expanded helping services, and your participation and contributions are making a difference!
— Rev. Dr. Tim Smith, Bishop of the North Carolina ELCA Synod
LSC Teammates all over the Carolinas supported the campaign during the annual Teammate Giving Campaign and raised over $65,192!
A total of 87 congregations took part in the Be The Light campaign. Together, they successfully raised a remarkable sum of $2,167,253!
REPORT 2023
PART TWO
• Rev. Dr. Leroy Cannon Columbia, SC
• Rev. Mary Finklea Florence, SC
• Dr. Capri Foy Winston-Salem, NC
• Mr. Ted Goins Salisbury, NC
• Ms. Sharon Graeber Greensboro, NC
• Mr. Cary Grant Durham, NC
• Mrs. Tami Hefner Conover, NC
• Mr. Rick Herman Weaverville, NC
• Mr. Greg Hudgins, Chair Durham, NC
• Mrs. Frances Lamb Wilmington, NC
• Mrs. Kaye Leonard Lexington, NC
• Dr. Joel Miller Hickory, NC
• Mr. Doug Nelson Tobaccoville, NC
• Mr. Hoang H. Nguyen Durham, NC
• Rev. Dr. Alfredo Oviedo Hendersonville, NC
• Dr. Reneé Rogers Kernersville, NC
• Rev. Will Rose Chapel Hill, NC
• Dr. Avery Staley Mooresville, NC
• Mr. David E. Turner Columbia, SC
• Mr. Brian Van Horn Mooresville, NC
• Mrs. Anna Yonge Lexington, SC
• The Rev. Dr. & Mrs. James Aull (Ginny) White Rock, SC
• Mr. Wayne Bach Hickory, NC
• Dr. Jill Bates Apex, NC
• Ms. Loretta Beam Vale, NC
• Ms. Miji Bell Baltimore, MD
• Mrs. Terry Bellamy Asheville, NC
• Mrs. Sarah Benbow Cary, NC
• Mrs. Andrea Benfield Newton, NC
• Ms. Maggie Blackwell Salisbury, NC
• Mr. & Mrs. Larry Bowman (Beth) Newton, NC
• The Revs. Jann Boyd & Kevin Ogilvie Lexington, SC
• Mrs. Betty Brown Salisbury, NC
• Mr. & Mrs. Don Bumgarner (Nancy) Conover, NC
• Dr. Jim Chapman Columbia, SC
• Mr. David Cooke Greenville, SC
• Mr. & Mrs. Richard Cosgrove (Kay) Richfield, NC
• Ms. Christine Crater Lexington, NC
• Rev. Dr. Shanitria Cuthbertson Charlotte, NC
• Mr. & Mrs. Luther Dasher (Diane) Fort Mill, SC
• Mr. & Mrs. Tony Deely (Louise) Mt. Pleasant, SC
• Mr. Damon Dequenne Winston-Salem, NC
• The Rev. Dr. David Donges Columbia, SC
• Mr. Charles Downs Hudson, NC
• Dr. Sylvia Flack Winston-Salem, NC
• Mr. John Frye Wilmington, NC
• Dr. & Mrs. Robert Gaither (Donna) Albemarle, NC
• Mr. & Mrs. Larry Gates (Tammi) Wilmington, NC
• The Rev. Jennifer Ginn Salisbury, NC
• Mr. Thomas Gipson Raleigh, NC
• The Rev. & Mrs. James Glander (Dee) Blythwood, SC
• Dr. David Goltra Mt. Pleasant, SC
• Mr. & Mrs. Robert Gresham (Carolyn) Salisbury, NC
• Mr. & Mrs. G. Parker Hatchett (Ann) Salisbury, NC
• Mr. Josef Herz-Lane Apex, NC
• The Rev. Wolfgang Herz-Lane Apex, NC
• Mr. & Mrs. William Hillegass (Doris) Salisbury, NC
• Mr. Perry Hood Salisbury, NC
• Dr. Gail Hounshell Salisbury, NC
• Mr. & Mrs. James Huddle (Jane) Glen Allen, VA
• Mr. & Mrs. Alan Hunsberger (Beverly) Wilmington, NC
• Mrs. Connie Hurlocker Salisbury, NC
• Mrs. Betty Hussey Durham, NC
• Mr. White Iddings Hickory, NC
• Mr. Bert Joines, Sr. Winston-Salem, NC
• The Rev. David Keck, Jr. Mooresville, NC
• Ms. Marsha Kinley Belmont, NC
• Mr. Robert Klepfer, Jr. Greensboro, NC
• Ms. Sybil Lackey Salisbury, NC
• Mrs. Lynn Lail Conover, NC
• Mrs. Monica Laverly Raleigh, NC
• Mr. James Lippard Winston-Salem, NC
• Mrs. Betty Lohr Hickory, NC
• Ms. Marie Magaletti Salisbury, NC
• Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Matangira (Nicole) Salisbury, NC
• Mr. & Mrs. Van Matthews (Melinda) Greenville, SC
• The Rev. Dr. James A. McDanielsGreensboro, NC
• Mr. Will McKaughan Rock Hill, SC
• Mrs. Loretta Meyers Wilmington, NC
• Mr. Geary Millikin Johns Island, SC
• The Rev. Dr. Jane Mitcham Lexington, SC
• Mr. George Moretz Hickory, NC
• Mr. Robert Mullinax, Sr. Newton, NC
• The Rev. Russell Myers, Jr. Albemarle, NC
• Mr. Zachary Osborne Raleigh, NC
• Mrs. Mary Ponds Granite Quarry, NC
• Mrs. Beth Pottle Wilmington, NC
• Mr. Jesse Ray Asheville, NC
• The Rev. & Mrs. Robert Shoffner (Beth) Hickory, NC
• Mr. & Mrs. Bill Sliney (Nora) Rock Hill, SC
• The Rev. David Sloop Durham, NC
• Ms. Zandra Spencer Salisbury, NC
• Mr. & Mrs. Steve Stanfield-Switzer (Vicki) Wilmington, NC
• Mr. Jeff Stewart Durham, NC
• The Rev. Dr. Scott Suskovic Charlotte, NC
• Mr. & Mrs. Jay Swain (Robin) Asheville, NC
• Mrs. Eloise Thomas Matthews, NC
• Mr. Eric Vaughn Raleigh, NC
• The Rev. Andrew Weisner Hickory, NC
• The Rev. Gregory Williams Hendersonville, NC
• Mr. David Wilson Salisbury, NC
• Mr. & Mrs. Ray Wise (Suzanne) Wilmington, NC
• Mr. & Mrs. David Yount (Susan) Charlotte, NC
S C B y t h e N u m b e r s
In 2023 more than 2,500 Lutheran Services Carolinas teammates, along with 2,429 donors and 4,125 advocates, improved the lives of thousands of Carolinians.
555,463 days of residential services were provided to 2,522 North Carolina seniors.
LSC’s disaster services team worked with 21 partners to serve 43 households in the Carolinas.
103 unaccompanied children found loving, temporary foster homes in LSC's Transitional Foster Care Program in South Carolina
56 families and 41 children were served through LSC’s Special Needs Adoption Program (SNAP) Eleven adoptions were finalized. In North and South Carolina, 405 children were served by dedicated foster parents and case workers.
LSC's child and family programs served over 7,500 individuals and families.
LSC’s recovery services programs (Kinard Manor, WeCo Cottage, and Trinity Recovery) helped over 3,000 individuals by giving them a safe and sober home to overcome substance use disorder or providing them with the tools to assist a loved one.
LSC’s New Americans Program served 3,473 individuals in the Carolinas.
LSC’s Day Services for Youth opened and served 96 foster youth
Collaborate: Trust, enjoy, and cooperate to enrich your workplace Compassion: Recognize the hurt or unhappiness of others and act to change it. Excellence: Any job worth doing is worth doing well Strive for excellence Faith: Love, serve, and be joyful in your work Support and forgive Integrity: Work honestly, seek help, admit failure. Justice: Create a just culture throughout the organization and in all the communities we serve Respect: Recognize the gifts and worth of everyone.
$ 174,180,632
Expense
$ 168,727,329 Operating income
$ 5,453,303
Unrestricted contributions $ 1,239,779 Operating income with contributions
6,693,082 Other unrestricted changes
$ 14,343,980 Total increase in unrestricted assets $ 21,037,062
Other restricted changes .
Total increase to assets .
• Medicaid 53.0%
• Private pay 27.0%
• Medicare 10.6%
• Insurance 5.7%
• Hospice 3.4%
$ 299,223
$ 21,336,285
• Program Services 87.5%
• Administration/Development/ Marketing 12.5%
34,750,563
$ 34,623,069 Operating income
$ 127,494 Unrestricted contributions
. $ 1,076,570 Operating income with contributions $1,204,064
Other unrestricted changes
Lutheran Services Carolinas had a strong year financially in fiscal 2023 with a senior services operating income of $5,453,303 and a child & family services operating income of $127,494; contributions without restrictions added another $2,316,349. As nonprofit organizations, all additional funds can be reinvested back into Lutheran Services Carolinas’ programs and services to help those in need.
Fiscal year 2023 continued to show improvement in both nursing and assisted living occupancy, increasing to 87.5% and 88.4% respectively as of year-end. Attaining pre-COVID occupancy levels in the 92%-95% range for both levels of care is a key goal of operations. Thankfully as a provider of choice in the communities it serves, LSC senior services has been above national occupancy averages for both levels of care for years. Excluding Trinity Landing in its fill-up process during the year, the independent living sector maintained its strong occupancy throughout the year at 93.0%.
During COVID the state of North Carolina increased the Medicaid rate structure with significant rate add-ons in skilled nursing. These rate add-ons for COVID relief have slowly been reduced over the past year. Through the state budget process, a portion of the temporary rate add-on was made permanent. In addition, unrelated to the COVID pandemic, an update to the Fair Rental Value and resident assessment system was implemented which also boosted reimbursement rates.
$ 150,424 Total increase in unrestricted assets
$ 1,354,488
restricted changes $ 905,577
Total increase in net assets
• North Carolina | 49%
• South Carolina | 51%
$ 2,260,065
• Refugee & Immigrant 35.0%
• Foster Care 30.6%
• Residential Care 26.5%
• Home and Community Based 4.5%
• Adoption Services 1.6%
• Recovery Services 1.5%
• Disaster Case Management 0.3%
Child and family services increased its foster care footprint across both North and South Carolina by nearly 8% for the fiscal year. In addition to serving children through placement in homes, LSC child & family services also served an additional 96 foster children in the new Day Services for Youth Program. South Carolina group homes for adults with disabilities transitioned to another provider and LSC child and family is now focused on supporting the host homes program in the state. In total 126 adults with disabilities were served in both North and South Carolina. Another area that has expanded significantly over the past few years is the New Americans Program, which now has seven locations and served nearly 3,500 families during the fiscal year.
Expense growth continues to be marked by wage pressures felt across both states. LSC has added shift differentials and additional pay for opting out of benefits as measures to maintain employees and remain competitive in the marketplace. LSC believes wage pressures and the labor shortage will be a persistent issue to be dealt with on an ongoing basis. Despite the long transition emerging from COVID to a new normal, the fiscal year 2023 was a solid one financially for LSC. Growth continued in key program areas and despite wage pressures the operating income expectations were met for both LSC senior and child and family services. LSC is well positioned to enter into the new fiscal year beginning on October 1, 2023.
(Lutheran Services for the Aging, Inc.)
Post Office Box 947
Salisbury, North Carolina 28145
Phone: 704-637-2870
Toll free: 1-800-HELPING www.LSCarolinas.net
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“Empowered by Christ, we walk together with all we serve.”
Emmaus Church raised $41,205 for the LSC New Americans Program through a Miracle Offering. Church leaders presented the check at our New Americans Program office in Columbia, SC. The offering will go toward housing refugee clients in South Carolina.
“You are making such an impact across both states, and we are grateful to be able to support just a portion of the work that you all do,” Emmaus Church Mercy and Justice Director Dylan Gunnels said.
Pictured left to right: Emmaus Church Kids Director Kara Taylor, Emmaus Church Mercy and Justice Director Dylan Gunnels, LSC New Americans Program Resettlement Director Seth Hershberger, LSC New Americans Program South Carolina Regional Director Bedrija Jazic, Emmaus Church Student Ministry Director Adrienne Dodge, and Emmaus Church Executive Director Lindsey Day.
nonprofit health and human services organization and a social ministry serving children and families in North and South Carolina and older adults in North Carolina. Content for Voices is written by Erin Kidd, director of communications, and Susannah MacNeil, communications manager. Questions or comments should be directed to Erin Kidd at ekidd@lscarolinas.net