HOUSED FOR THE HOLIDAYS

When Dominque wrote these words to one of our Lutheran Social Service of Southern California offices in Los Angeles, she was not only sharing her story but also the story of so many of the participants in our CalAIM program have experienced.

“I’ve searched high and low on affordable housing sites which are usually scams or property who do accept section 8 have a 3-year waitlist and no availability. The larger property management firms made me pay an application fees of around $50 plus. They say they take section 8, yet, honestly they set their standards so high they tend to deny me because I have low income and low credit score. So, I’m really running around in circles and not getting anywhere. If someone can please assist me in the right direction I’d greatly appreciate it. Please feel free to respond via email or call me.”

She did receive a call back from one of our experienced case managers. It was late Fall and Dominique was able to share her heartfelt wish to be able spend Christmas with her children in their very own new place. The entire team at LSSSC, lead by Manager Imelda Bealer, advocated on her behalf with property management and LACDA (Los Angeles Development Authority. With a committed collaborative effort from both teams, this grateful single Mom and her family found housing just in time for Christmas 2022. Dominique and her family were very appreciative of LSSSC support which continues to this day.

So impressed by this program participant and several other’s success stories, LSSSC’s CalAIM partner Healthnet has filmed several of their inspirational stories. You can view their stories at https://www.lsssc.org/videos/.

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2023 ENGAGE Quarterly Magazine

Advertising Rates

Spring '23 Mar 15

Summer ‘23 JUN 15

Hispanic Heritage, Emergency Preparedness, & Hunger Action Month

Volunteer,MentalHealth,FairHousing Months&JuneteenthHoliday

Summer ‘23 Jun 15

Fall ‘23 SEPT 15

HispanicHeritage,Emergency Preparedness,&HungerActionMonths

College Career & Domestic Violence, Indigenous People Awareness Months & Global Peer Support Day

F Fall ‘23 Sept 15

College-Career&DomesticViolence, IndigenousPeoplesAwarenessMonths &GlobalPeerSupportDay

Specifications

Specifications

Ink Full Color

Ink Full Color

Trim Size 8.375" x 10.75"

Trim Size 8.375” x 10.75”

Binding Saddle Stitch

Binding Saddle Stitch

Published 4x per year

Published 4x per year

Circulation 5,000

Circulation 5,000

Art Requirements

Art Requirements

• A high resolution pdf is the preferred file format.

• A high resolution pdf is the preferred file format.

Ad sizes that can have bleeds. Set bleeds to 0.125

• Discounts (Discounts may not be combined. When more than one discount is eligible, the greater discount will be applied):

*Ad sizes that can have bleeds. Set bleeds to 0.125".

• A 10% discount is given to recognized organizations providing proof of 501(c)(3c) status.

• Letters to the editor, article, and photo submissions, are subject to the deadlines on the left.

• Discounts (Discounts may not be combined. When more than one discount is eligible, the greater discount will be applied):

- A 10% discount is given to recognized organizations providing proof of 501(c)(3) status.

• Advertisers are solely responsible for the rights to the third party images submitted with their ad copy.

• Letters to the editor, article, and photo submissions, are subject to the deadlines on the left.

• Above pricing is charged per ad.

• Advertisers are solely responsible for the rights to the third party images submitted with their ad copy.

• Above pricing is charged per ad.

• All images must be 300 dpi. (images from the web are not print quality.)

• All images must be 300 dpi.(Images from the web are not print quality.)

• Fonts e mbedded.

• Fonts embedded

• Name files clearly, indicating your company name and publication.

• Name files clearly, indicating your company name a nd publication.

• For ads with bleed, export pdfs with 1/8" (.125") bleed settings. No crop marks.

• For ads with bleed, export pdfs with 1/8” (.125”) bleed settings. No crop marks.

• Color requirements—All full color ad artwork must be process color (CMYK). No spot c olors.

• Color requirements – All full color ad artwork must be process color (CMYK). No spot colors.

For advertising inquiries, please call or email: LSSSC Marketing

For advertising inquiries, please call or email: Mark Wimberley 714-685-1800

714-685-1800 marketing@lsssc.org

Ad Material

Ad Material

Upload files at www lsssc org/video-photo-upload/ or email pdf to mark wimberley@lsssc org

Upload files at www.lsssc.org/video-photo-upload/ or email PDF to marketing@lsssc.org

• Name files clearly, indicating your company name and publication.

• Please allow up to 2 business days for confirmation of receipt and the status of your ad.

• Name files clearly, indicating your company name and publication.

• Please allow up to 2 business days for confirmation of receipt and the status of your ad.

• Email marketing@lsssc.org for more detail specifications

• Email mark.wimberley@lsssc org for more detailed specifications. Need help creating an ad? Free ad design (with revisions up to 3 proofs)

Need help creating an ad? Free ad design (with revisions up to 3 proofs).

• Please allow up to 5 business days for first proof. Contact your sales representative for more information.

• Please allow up to 5 business days for the first proof. Contact your sales representative for more information.

A WORD FROM DR. LASHARNDA BECKWITH, CEO

In the realm of Christian faith, the concept of death is often viewed as a transition rather than an end. It is a departure from the physical world and an entry into eternal life promised by Christ. Closing one's eyes in earthly death signifies the readiness to embrace the boundless joys of eternity with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I recently traveled to the East coast and during that brief journey, The Lord spoke into my heart and told me to take the time to go and visit with a dear woman who made a significant impact on my life. Ms. Fannie Mae, a devoted follower of Christ, has lived a long and meaningful life. At age 94, she has witnessed the blessings and challenges of this world. Throughout her journey, she has faithfully anchored her life on the promises of Christ, finding solace and strength in His unwavering love. Nearing her final days, Ms. Fanny Mae reflects on the joys and sorrows she experienced during her earthly sojourn. With a heart filled with gratitude, she is ready to close her eyes to the temporal and open them to the eternal. Her trust in the redemptive power of Christ's sacrifice gives her the assurance that she will be united with her Lord and Savior, free from the limitations of mortality.

For believers, death is not a cause for despair but rather a moment of hope and anticipation. The Scriptures reassure us that through faith in Jesus Christ, we can inherit eternal life in the kingdom of God. I am reminded of Abraham. I am reminded that in times when doubt creeps into our minds, we must remind ourselves of Romans 4:18, “Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping...”

Closing one's eyes in earthly death carries deep symbolism. It represents the act of surrendering one's earthly existence, entrusting oneself into the loving arms of God. It signifies the completion of a life well-lived, the end of earthly trials, and the beginning of everlasting joy. It is a profound moment of transition marked by perfect and eternal communion with God.

(Continued on Page 19)

A WORD FROM DR. TERRY PAULSON, CHAIR OF THE BOARD

Like me, you may have attended a graduation recently and it reminded me I once wrote an article call an Open Letter to Students, it went something like this abbreviated version:

As one of America’s young adults, you hold our country’s future in your hands. As you look at graduating here are some SECRETS OF LIFE for your journey. Sometimes a little truth-telling can be the best kind of graduation gift you can receive.

SECRET #1 – Don’t be your own worst enemy. Henry Ford said, “Most of the bars we beat against are our own. We put them there, and we take them down.” Instead of whipping yourself over mistakes, ask yourself, “What can I learn from this?”

SECRET #2 – Life is difficult and unfair; get used to it. College is more difficult than high school; life is more difficult than college. Every increase in the degree of difficulty lets you experience the satisfaction of mastering that next level.

SECRET #3 – Instead of caring about your selfesteem, most people are worried about themselves. Find your own inner appreciation for what you do well. You won’t be good in all areas, so don’t copy the dreams of others. Turn your God-given gifts into a way to make meaning and enough money.

SECRET #4 – Develop a sense of gratitude. You are not entitled to a great job with a high salary, a perfect partner, or an easy life. Be thankful for what life gives you every day. When you expect less, you are happier when you achieve more.

SECRET #5 – Don’t settle for easy teachers or mentors; be excited by the ones that challenge you. When I went from being a great student in high school to being challenged in college, I realized an important truth – your best and most caring teachers are the ones that care enough to challenge you.

(Continued on Page 19)

Terry Paulson, PhD Chair, Board of Directors

Andrew

H. Mansmann, CPA Vice Chair, Board of Directors

Rick

Davis Treasurer, Board of Directors

Rev. Sharon M. Ruff-Richter Interim

Secretary,

Board of Directors

Dr. Lasharnda Beckwith , PhD

President

& CEO

Bruce Dannemeyer, Esq.

Taiwo Ande, Ph.D

Rex Evans

Kyle Fryling

Alison Herald

Rev. Nader Hanna

Stephen Helper

Athena Jones, Esq.

Susan Kroeger

Rev. Scottie R. Lloyd (Col.-Ret.)

Victoria Villa, MSW

Bishop Brenda Bos, Southwest CA Synod, ELCA

Rev. Dr. Michael Gibson, Pacific Southwest Region, LCMS

Bishop David C. Nagler, Pacifica Synod, ELCA

Mission

Ignited by faith, we live out God’s love by embracing, equipping and empowering vulnerable individuals, families and communities toward self-sufficiency.

Vision

Sharing the love of Christ, we seek to form a community where…

• the vulnerable are safer and stronger

• the dependent are self-sustaining

• the isolated dwell in community

• the weary are given hope.