May 2012 - The Texas District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod

LuTheran
sociaL services
N TEXAS DISTRICT
Foster homes for infants needed
It seems we always have a shortage of qualified and loving homes to foster teenagers,
large sibling groups and children with medical needs. We constantly recruit
for new families who feel called to care for these harder-to-place children.
Well, the tide seems to have turned, and while (of course) we still need foster
families for all age groups, most recently we have a shortage of families to care for
infants, and this is a statewide issue. These are usually emergency situations when
babies are removed from their biological homes for all kinds of reasons—none of
them good.
Our best source for new and qualified foster homes has always been referrals
from Foster In Texas (FIT) parents. And since we have 16 foster care and adoption
offices throughout Texas, this network is vital and widespread. So, if you or anyone
you know feels called to become a foster parent, whatever your location in Texas,
LSS can work with you. The first step is to call 877-747-8110 or visit our website,
fosterintexas.org, where you’ll find FAQs and all the information you’ll need.
Copperfi eld Village expansion begins
At Copperfield Village, Victoria Texas’ favorite senior independent
living community and ministry of LSS, residents no longer have to
worry about yardwork, housework, cooking, doing dishes and paying
property taxes and utility bills.
The word is out and the 70 cottages, or mini-houses, in Copperfield
Village are in high demand. And that demand is only going to grow.
LSS has announced that construction has begun on 12 new houses in
Copperfield on the 10 acres adjacent to the existing neighborhood.
In addition to the first building phase of 12 homes, which will take
about eight months to finish, LSS has plans to build up to 30 on the
neighboring property. A major renovation of the existing main building
(containing the offices, dining room and kitchen, library, meeting
rooms and gym) is also underway. Future expansion plans also include
an Assisted Living community.
The new cottages will give more people the opportunity to take
advantage of the Copperfield Village lifestyle and the famously great
food served in the dining hall. Get in line folks!
Wild about Krause and the Krause Kids
The first Healing Hearts benefit for the Krause Children’s Center in Katy was an out-of-Africa experience
called “Wild About Krause” held at the Houston Zoo. While guests enjoyed the jungle-safari atmosphere, the
night was really about the children who reside at Krause, a residential treatment center for abused and troubled
children. Because most people don’t understand how children find their way into residential treatment,
LSS CEO Dr. Kurt Senske answered the question: “Just who are the Krause Kids?” in his remarks that night.
He summed it up: “Krause is a long-term residential treatment center for both boys and girls, ages 11 to 17.
They stay with us an average of six to nine months and are referred or placed at Krause by Child Protective
Services and the Department of Juvenile Justice. Currently, there are 29 boys and 28 girls;
about one-third are Caucasian, one-third African-American and one-third Hispanic. What
each child has in common is that every one of them has been abused. Only the most traumatized
are admitted to Krause.” Next, a resident of Krause spoke about what Krause has
meant in his life and the evening continued with live and silent auctions, music and even a
conga line! The event raised $106,000 for the Center and gave participants a deeper understanding
of how young hearts can be healed at a special place like Krause.