Programs & Services
Adoption
Some children are born to a family, others join
their “forever families” through adoption.
About Us
Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois improves the well-being of people across the state by protecting children, strengthening families and building futures for those who have experienced trauma.
News
Our Clients. Their Stories.
Be inspired by the stories of people changing their lives every day
with the assistance of LCFS’ programs and services.
Everybody Deserves Love & a Second Chance
With you by our side, youth in LCFS’ Regenerations program receive the love and support they need to get their lives back on the right track. Thank you for all that you do. Sadly, there are hundreds of older foster youth in correctional and detention centers around Illinois that are past their release dates, but stay […]
Read More » The greatest gift
This past year with individuals like you on our side, LCFS helped 245 children find their forever families through adoption. In celebration of National Adoption month, we’d like to share one of the stories your support made possible. Josiah was born at 25 weeks weighing only 1 lb. 5 oz. Numerous drugs were found in his […]
Read More » Changing worlds through adoption
Brett and Kevin met and began their relationship through an online dating app. “We hit it off immediately. It was a case of love at first sight,” said Brett. They met in person for the first time on October 30th and two years later, on the exact same date, got engaged and started planning their […]
Read More » Support and commitment
Like many foster children, Gwen (not her real name) experienced multiple traumas during her young life. But she is now living with a caring foster family and celebrating a four-year college scholarship. Gwen has been with her foster family for three years and the support and commitment of her foster parents Karen and Ralph (not […]
Read More » Responding with understanding
To say Peter (not his real name) was angry when he came to Lutherbrook was an understatement. Now 18 years old, Peter was verbally and physically abused by his mother when he was a child. He had problems controlling his anger, which manifested itself through verbal and physical aggression. That aggression led to run-ins with […]
Read More » Collaborating with partners to empower families
“I left my addiction behind. I didn’t want to lose my kids.” Tess (not her real name) started on drugs when she was 16, becoming an addict as she progressed from marijuana to cocaine. After giving birth to a substance-exposed infant, it was recommended that she begin inpatient treatment. Tess agreed, beginning her two-year journey […]
Read More » Providing hope in a difficult time
Adrianna became a client of Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois’ (LCFS) Extended Family Support program when she started caring for her nephew Marcello (both pictured, above). Marcello’s first couple years were rough. His mother gave birth to him in prison at the start of a 25 year sentence. He bounced from family member […]
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