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About Us

We are a faith-based, health and human services organization that provides housing, health care and emergency assistance to thousands of people every day with programs that serve the whole person and respond to some of our community’s most serious challenges.

Founded in 1912, LSS is one of Central Ohio’s largest nonprofits and takes a leadership role in responding to the challenges that face people experiencing poverty and/or homelessness, seniors, and victims/survivors of domestic violence. Driven by faith, we continue our mission of creating a better world by serving people in need by responding to our community’s evolving unmet needs with dignity and respect while providing compassionate, professional care.

Awards & Memberships

Our Values

Integrity

We act in an ethical, honest, transparent and respectful manner in dealing with one another and those we serve.

Compassion

We offer programs and care to those we serve that promote awareness and a thoughtful and empathetic response toward alleviating struggle.

Inclusion

We believe in creating environments where everyone feels valued, respected and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives and talents.

Excellence

We will do things right the first time and commit to doing them better the next.

Serving the whole person

People come to the programs that make up the  LSS Network of Hope for housing, health care, or emergency assistance. Their challenges are often complex and interrelated.

Recognizing the interconnected challenges and building off their strengths, we serve them holistically.

To understand and respond to the whole person, we use a widely researched framework, the Social Influences of Health.

LSS Legacy Timeline

Meeting the needs of Ohioans for over 100 years.

1912
1912

Lutheran Inner Mission League founded.

1914
1914

Incorporated to “carry on general charitable and religious work and maintain a hospice” as a residence for young Christian women.

1920
1920

A six room house at 148 S. Belle St. was opened as League headquarters and a settlement house.

1926
1926

Builds and moves its operations to 106 S. Gift St. in downtown Columbus. The building becomes known as the Lutheran Evangelistic Center.

1927
1927

Establish feeding program.

1945
1945

Name changed to Lutheran Welfare League of Central Ohio.

1957
1957

A thrift store opens at 209 S. Broad St in Lancaster.

1965
1965

Lutheran Senior City (later known as Lutheran Village of Columbus) dedicated.

1969
1969

Adoption services begin.

1970
1970

Name changed to Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio.

1976
1976

The first black adoption program in Ohio, Black Adoptions Services, was started.

1987
1987

The Fairfield County Emergency Shelter opens in Lancaster.

1992
1992

The first LSS affordable housing community, Stone House Place in Bridgeport, Ohio, opens.

1993
1993

Kensington Place is dedicated.

1997
1997

The Good Shepherd Rehabilitation and Healthcare Campus in Ashland joins Lutheran Social Services.

1998
1998

Disaster Response services are offered.  Faith Mission becomes a part of Lutheran Social Services.

2000
2000

The Faith Mission Resource Center and Clinic are opened as well as Lutheran Village of Ashland.

2001
2001

Faith Mission on 8th Avenue opens.

2009
2009

The first mobile food pantry in Ironton starts.

2013
2013

LSS Home Health Care launches.

2014
2014

CHOICES for Victims of Domestic Violence joins Lutheran Social Services.

2017
2017

Lutheran Social Services updates logo and incorporates LSS Network of Hope.

2018
2018

LSS Food Pantries transitions to online ordering and increases mobile distribution.

2020
2020

HandsOn Central Ohio joins Lutheran Social Services and becomes LSS 211 Central Ohio.

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