Check SCREEN READER MODE to make this survey compatible with screen readers.
LSS Positive Avenues is evolving and we want you to be a part of it.
Eau Claire/Chippewa Valley has been home to Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan (LSS) for more than 100 years with our daytime resource center – Positive Avenues – serving the community since 1998. For nearly a decade, we have seen the needs of our community grow from 25 people per day to 75-100 per day. When the pandemic hit, we collaborated with Catholic Charities to temporarily move Positive Avenues from daytime service hours to a 24/7 shelter. LSS provided crisis services and resources while Catholic Charities managed the shelter side of care. With the increase in this population, we realize that one place or group cannot serve the diverse needs of people experiencing homelessness.
Today, as the country is starting to reopen and more people are vaccinated, LSS is able to return to daytime hours. Yet, our expert staff - joined with voices by our contemporaries from Catholic Charities, human services, Government and other community partners – have all agreed that we need to modify our approach to best serve our Participant’s important needs.
On April 1, 2021, LSS will move to the current Sojourner House located at 618 S. Barstow St. There, LSS and our partners will offer enhanced well-coordinated services during the day that wholly addresses the challenges people are experiencing including and beyond homelessness.
This new approach to service delivery meets the social, emotional and economic needs of participants that leads to self-sufficiency – all under one roof. Offerings include: crisis services, basic needs support, housing and employment resources, skills development, financial counseling, 12-step recovery, and more. Catholic Charities will also continue to provide shelter care services at Sojourner House at night.
During extreme weather periods, LSS will look to Catholic Charities and other community sources for cooling/warming options. Tables and chairs will be set up at Sojourner House during the day for people needing to come in from the cold or heat. Safety will always be a deciding factor when it comes to need.
With this more deeply connected collaboration, we have decided to create a new program name that better reflects our updated service model and our partnerships with community service providers, participants, neighbors and the greater community.
Please help us select our new name and then join us on April 14, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. CST via Facebook Live @LSSWis for the “big reveal”!
