People focused

Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI) is one of the state’s largest nonprofit human services agencies, focused on empowering individuals and communities. LSI is committed to meeting community needs and making a lasting impact, with strong support for the local chapter from organizations like St. Paul.

You’ve probably driven past the prominently located LSI sign that sits on the corner of 15th Street as you head north on Brady Street, just a handful of blocks south of St. Paul. The green and blue square logo with the letters LSI in black text. In smaller, lighter blue reads: “Lutheran Services in Iowa. People focused • results driven.” But what does Lutheran Services in Iowa do and who do they serve?

St. Paul is proud to support the mission of Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI) for many years. LSI is one of Iowa’s largest nonprofit human services agencies, “empowering families and communities by recognizing and honoring the strengths and gifts of every individual.”

St. Paul member Deb Cochuyt is the senior director of philanthropy and church relations for LSI. A big part of her job is educating the community on the services provided by LSI, which is far-reaching, through sharing the stories of their clients.

“LSI doesn’t know or ask if our staff or clients are Lutheran. We don’t care. We don’t serve only Lutherans. We serve all people,” Deb said. “We have a really large group of clients here in the Quad Cities. Other than Des Moines, we’re the largest base of clients with the largest number of programs served through LSI. Most of the statewide programs are offered right here in the Quad Cities. The programs are located where the need is; so the programs can be fluid to meet the needs of the community in which we serve. A lot of people say, ‘I had no idea what Lutheran Services in Iowa did until I needed them.’ We’ve been around so long and offer so much that people don’t realize all the services we provide.”

Deb said the programming offered is wide-reaching and continues to expand based on need. The strongest programs available in the Quad Cities include a large early childhood program, therapy services, behavioral health intervention services, and foster care and adoption services. The early childhood program supports around 500 kids in the Quad Cities. Deb says when they service one child, they are serving the entire family. Utilizing the Healthy Families America’s (HFA) home-visiting model, LSI’s program brings family support workers into the home to help parents raise healthy families.

“What I hear about the most is the impact we have because of the early childhood program. So many of these young moms don’t have a support base and we help educate them on how to be a parent. These programs break the cycle of abuse in many households,” Deb said. “The parents learn how to care for their babies, how to change diapers, what milestones kids should go through and when. When parenting is too much for them, because we all experience those moments, we teach them how to take a breath, take a break, and handle these normal emotions. The number of success stories I’ve heard here locally is quite something.”

A new edition to the programmatic lineup is a partnership with a detention center in the Quad Cities to help provide the therapy and extra support these youth often need.

“To my knowledge, the detention center has never had a partnership quite like this one before. So many of the kids in these centers need that type of support. So far, we’ve found that many of the kids who come to us open up and talk freely because they trust us,” Deb said. “The detention centers have noticed a difference in the way these kids behave because someone took the time to talk with them. This program started in Waterloo and has since spread all across the state.”

The Mental Health program has also expanded, allowing LSI to provide services in all 99 counties in Iowa thanks to virtual behavioral health opportunities.

“The number of lives we’ve touched is amazing and you often have no idea until someone tells you their story.”

Lutheran Day on the Hill
Tuesday, March 11, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Capital Hill Lutheran Church, Des Moines, IA
Lutheran Day on the Hill is LSI’s main advocacy event. Held annually, hundreds of participants are invited to gather at a local downtown church to learn about LSI and critical issues children, adults, and families in Iowa are facing. Attendees learn about advocacy efforts before heading to the Iowa State Capitol to engage directly with legislators. Registration is free and open to anyone. Register online at lsiowa.org/ldh.