Note: Recently The Icon announced two new staff persons in the Bluffton office of Lutheran Social Services of Northwestern Ohio. Here is a brief history of the organization.

Lutheran Social Services of Northwestern Ohio's ministry began in response to a need for chaplaincy service identified in 1910 by the Fremont Local Conference of the American Lutheran Church.

That conference was formed in January of 1889 and incorporated in 1916. In February 1911, inner-mission work started in Toledo and the Rev. Harry P. Long, who was serving acongregation in Philo, Illinois, accepted the following call as the first superintendent:

The first Family Service Department started in 1921 in Toledo with Sister IdaOlsen as Caseworker. A license for Child Placement in Ohio was received that year with an adoption/foster care program program started for neighborhood children.

Lutheran Orphans and Old In that same year, the Brand home, located at 323 Oliver Street, Toledo was Neighborhood House.It was dedicated in 1929 and at the dedication it was pointed out that "The program at the Neighborhood House knows no boundaries of race, color, or creed."

Concentrated relief work through the agency's Lutheran Women's Council took place in 1932. Old clothing was collected and repaired. New garments were sewn. Furniture and toys were collected for Christmas gifts.

In 1938 the Council changed its name to "The Lutheran Inner-Mission Guild." The Lutheran Hospice changed its name to Cotta Hall in1933. It remained open for 25 years, closing in 1942. In 1933, an Employment Bureau was started and licensed by the State of Ohio. In 1934, Rev. Otto H. Dagefoerde, D.D., a former Board member, was "Called" as the Executive Director.

The Lutheran Welfare Service celebrated its 50th anniversary by commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Chaplain's Department. It was held at St. Paul's Maumee. A 16-page anniversary booklet of historical data and pictures was given to participants. Adoptive couples shared with the audience their experience of the adoption process. On October 17, 1961, the Lutheran Welfare Council of Ohio became a reality with its first meeting in Columbus, Ohio.

The Toledo and Lima Inner-Mission societies and other Lutheran agencies had, for many years, recognized the need for a statewide Lutheran organization to help foster cooperation between agencies and provide mutual support.

The Inner Missions actively participated in the formation of this group. In 2011, the council will celebrate fifty years of service. Its successor body is now known as Lutheran Services in America, Ohio, and is a member of the national Lutheran Services in America.

In 1964, at the suggestion of the Lutheran Welfare Council of Ohio, the LWS Board of Trustees and Lutheran Children's Aid Society of Cleveland, two licensed child-placing agencies, initiated discussion in regard to uniting the two agencies. The Cleveland agency was about to open its new10,000 square foot building. In this same year, Lutheran Welfare Service the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Lutheran bodies, ALC, LCA, and LC-MS now supported the social
ministry work of the organization.

Lutheran Social Services of Northwestern Ohio became the name of the agency in 1967. On the recommendation of the Board of Trustees it was changed from Lutheran Welfare Service at the Annual Meeting. It was felt that the new name reflected a more accurate description of agency services rather than carrying the image of being "only a welfare service for poor people."

Over the years, change was recognized as the agency moved from serving primarily Lutherans in many programs to serving all people in need. By 1967, the agency was becoming a more complete child and family service, serving people of all denominations where personal and social problems of all types were being called to the attention of the agency.

The 1980s brought the formation of additional regional offices located in Bryan, Fremont, Lima, Perrysburg, Sandusky, Findlay, and Bucyrus, Ohio. The Social Service Programs Department Family Life Enrichment Parenting, Substance Abuse, Divorce, Grief & Loss, and Abused Persons. In late 1984 the Southside Center in Lima (established in 1968 and a United Way agency) came under the LSS umbrella. As a result of problems with unemployment, chemical and alcohol dependency, and inadequate housing, needs in the Lima area increased.

Currently the Findlay office of Lutheran Social Services provides mental health and counseling for individuals, families and children in the region with the support of dedicated volunteers and staff.

Counseling and Emergency Food Pantry services are delivered with best practice, evidenced based methods which allow LSS to serve more people efficiently and with compassion.

Our counselors are fully qualified and credentialed with the State of Ohio to deliver services for those experiencing depression, family conflicts, addictions, grief, divorce, anger issues and domestic violence with specialties in children's mental health issues.