Connections E-News

   News from Lutheran Family Services in the Carolinas

February 8, 2011 

FEATURED

LFS Names New Chief Operating Officer  

LFS Carolinas has named Myra N. Griffie Chief Operating Officer.

In this role, Griffie will provide leadership and oversee management of all program operations for the agency, including support functions such as Human Resources and Information Services.  She is responsible for ensuring the highest quality of care for those served by the agency through oversight of daily operations, evaluation of program and support services performance and outcomes, and coordination of resources through the direct supervision of Executive Directors and other staff.

“I see LFS continuing to move towards excellence in programming for children and families. LFS is emerging as a leader in arenas such as supportive housing and continues to pioneer and lead in areas such as refugee resettlement and child services in NC and SC,” said Griffie. “I envision LFS growing collaborative efforts with both faith-based and non faith-based partners to provide the highest quality of services through the most efficient methods.”

Griffie has worked with LFS Carolinas for seven years. She began as Clinical Coordinator for Charlotte foster care and group homes before becoming Vice President for Programs and later Senior Vice President for Quality and Risk Management.

“Myra Griffie has been a leader within LFS and in child and family services,” said LFS President, Ted Goins. “Her talent and dedication will allow LFS to survive and thrive in these difficult times as we serve the most vulnerable in our society.”

WHAT'S NEW

The Gift of Life

LFS recently received a letter from a family who was able to make their family whole through adoption.

Dear Ms. Carrie Ritchie,

We wanted to bring to your attention the exceptional work of Mrs. Rashidah Pitts-Myrie. Rashidah has been our foster to adopt social worker since 2008. Throughout the two years that we have had the pleasure to work with her and Lutheran Family Services we were kept informed and updated on all parts of adoption. Her hard work and passion for foster to adopt couples was seen continually through her commitment and dedication. Her efforts need to be recognized.

When we started the path towards foster care adoption we did not know all that it entailed or the details that come into play to finally celebrating life through adoption. Rashidah led us through each step of the path. Her commitment to us started from our very first interaction with MAPP training. The training she offered us helped us to decide that foster to adopt was the right step for our family and if it did not work out at any point that we would not have traded the important training time that Rashidah provided for anything. She not only helped us pursue foster care adoption more but allowed us to become better informed and learn to advocate for special needs children. After the dedication of the training, Rashidah helped us to start and complete a home study, foster care paperwork, CPR training, fingerprinting, background checks, foster care licensure, reading and reviewing profiles of children, waiting periods, waiting periods, waiting periods, investigating profiles, calling social workers, following up on possible matches, interviewing, placement and final adoption. Her care and concern for us as a family was truly evident in every call, visit, or e-mail that was communicated between us. At all times she displayed a high level of professionalism and willingness to listen to our concerns and fears. Her steadfast spirit helped to encourage us as we waited to adopt. The waiting is a long road and one often filled with ups and downs of emotion. It was Rashidah that would always reach out to us and keep us uplifted and help us proceed closer to a match.

Continue Reading

 

First Annual Golf Ball Drop

 

We have a new and exciting fundraiser this year! A Golf Ball Drop!
Saturday, May 14th, 2011 from 11am-2pm

Columbia, SC


What is it? - We sell 1,000 golf balls for $20 each, all with a number on them. The day of the event all of the golf balls will go up in a hot air balloon and be dropped onto a HUGE target! Those closest to the bullseye will win AMAZING prizes... with a chance of winning a grand prize!
 

We'll also be hosting a community family friendly event that day and are working to secure some great music and entertainment for the whole family!

What can you do? PURCHASE a golf ball! VOLUNTEER on our planning committee! SELL golf balls on our behalf!

Please contact Courtney McDuffie at 803-461-2613 or mailto:courtney.mcduffie@lfscarolinas.org if you're interested in getting involved.

 

The Faces of LFS

Emily Yamazawa, English Language Training Supervisor & Refugee Assistance Program Coordinator

For more than three decades, LFS Carolinas has answered the call to help refugees fleeing their native countries because of religious or political persecution. These refugees face numerous challenges during their transition to a new life in the United States, and Emily Yamazawa helps to ease this transition by providing refugees with access to English language and educational resources.
 

“I am committed to helping others,” said Emily. “This job allows me to help others through language training.”

English language training is one of the most important resources provided to refugees because it is essential to helping them secure employment. Without a job, refugees would be unable to start their journey to self-sufficiency, which is the cornerstone of the LFS Carolinas mission.

“I am thrilled that I am able to teach literacy classes for newly arriving refugees,” said Emily. “The work is rewarding, and I am motivated to continue to contribute to social change through grass roots efforts.”

Continue Reading

 

Joe Grugan, Job Developer/Refugee Resettlement

Finding a decent job is one of the biggest challenges that refugees face as they arrive in the United States after fleeing their war-torn native countries. Joe Grugan greets these refugees with a smiling face, a helping hand, and a wealth of business contacts.

 

Before joining LFS Carolinas as a job developer in our refugee resettlement program, Joe spent nearly 32 years working in the private sector which makes him one of our biggest assets.

“I had business contacts with many employers in the midlands and across South Carolina and felt I could be successful finding refugee clients places to work,” said Joe. “I continue to work for LFS because it is the most personally rewarding work I have ever done.” 

 

Joe says it is rewarding on so many levels, but most of all because he gets to witness firsthand how a community working together can transform the lives of countless refugees.

 

Continue Reading

Photos: Top - Emily Yamazawa (center) with her mother (right) and grandmother (left) Bottom - Joe Grugan with his granddaughters

 

 LFS Carolinas is now on twitter! Follow us

twitter.com/lfscarolinas 

Upcoming Events 

Golf Ball Drop

May 14, 2011

11 AM -2 PM

Columbia, SC


Party with a Purpose

LFS invites you to host a Party with a Purpose, a small dinner party to introduce 10 of your closest friends to the mission of LFS.

The goal of Party with a Purpose is to showcase the mission of LFS Carolinas and highlight the need for ongoing community support, which will hopefully motivate your friends to make a financial contribution.

If you are interested in helping with this important fundraising initiative, contact:

Michael Handy

(704) 940-3309 (Office)

(704) 301-4497 (Cell)

michael.handy@lfscarolinas.org

Donate Today

There are many ways you can support LFS Carolinas as we help the vulnerable people in our communities. To learn how your gift can make a difference click here. 

 

1-800-HELPING

www.lfscarolinas.org

 

 

 

Thank You

for supporting our holiday Give Joy Campaign

Mt. Pleasant Lutheran Church, Ehrhardt, SC

 

Whittenburg Lutheran Church, Leesville, SC

Reformation Lutheran Church, Columbia, SC

Lutheran Church of Our Savior, Greer, SC

St Luke's Lutheran Church, Summerville, SC

St. Stephen's Lutheran Church, Lexington, SC

Epiphany Lutheran Church, Tega Cay, SC

St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Mt. Pleasant, SC

Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, Cayce, SC

St. John’s Lutheran Church, Cherryville, NC

Lutheran Chapel Church, Gastonia, NC

St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Salisbury, NC

All Saints Lutheran Church, Charlotte, NC

Resurrection Lutheran Church, Kings Mountain, NC

St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Asheville, NC

St. James Lutheran Church, Concord, NC

St. Mark’s WELCA Naomi Circle, Charlotte, NC

Lighthouse Baptist Church, Gastonia, NC

Good Shepherd Lutheran, Raleigh, NC

St. Philip Lutheran Church, Raleigh, NC

Christ the King Lutheran Church, Cary, NC

The Fountain of Raleigh Fellowship, Raleigh, NC

The Serving Cup