On Dec. 13, Lutheran Social Services of the VI (LSSVI) will celebrate 116 years of providing continuous service in the Virgin Islands — giving hope and dignity to the most vulnerable.
Throughout this proud history and up to the present day, the mission of its work has not wavered. It continues to expand to ensure at-risk children and families, low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities can all live a life of purpose.
At Queen Louise Home for Children where LSSVI’s work first began, the home has continued to be a sanctuary for children escaping abuse, neglect and abandonment. It is a haven that welcomes, nurtures and supports needful children regardless of their circumstances.
Caring for seniors has been one of LSSVI’s cornerstone of commitment to the community. It is a commitment that arose in response to the need for housing for low-income seniors and people with disabilities borne by the conviction that the best of humankind is realized when people tap into the depth of their being and reach out to those most vulnerable among us. The LSSVI’s service began 35 years ago with only 56 one-bedroom apartments and has grown to 120 residential units, housing over 100 seniors and people with disabilities.
At its Early Head Start program, the organization is paying it forward to the next generation by providing the essential building blocks and foundational tools for young children in the Virgin Islands. It counts it a blessing to be able to assist parents in meeting the needs of their children in those early and all-important formative years, eliminating barriers so hard-working parents can access needed resources for their children’s development and future success.
As Lutheran Social Services looks to the future, it is mindful of its past 116 years, which it and the community have faced together and the reason why its work has endured. Recognizing how far LSSVI and the community have traveled together on this journey serves as a constant reminder of how much work is still ahead of us, and is truly grateful.
Lutheran Social Services, the staff, the seniors and persons with disabilities, the children in its care, all thank the community of friends for believing and standing by it.
