Beaumont Foundation of America awards $456,600
to clothe LSS foster children
December 2006

DENTON - The children who call the Nelson Children's Center home will get to buy new school clothes thanks in part to a $456,600 awarded to Lutheran Social Services, which operates the Nelson Center. The grant allocates $300 a year to the more than 1,500 children cared for by LSS throughout the state of Texas.

LSS, the largest provider of residential services to abused and neglected children in Texas, is one of eight child placing agencies in the state to receive $1 million to clothe foster children. LSS cares for more than 1,500 children daily in its foster care program, including 180 children in residential treatment centers.

"Since we work to help the underserved and the foster care agencies across the state provide services for the underserved children, it was an easy decision," said Frank Newton, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Beaumont Foundation of America

Established in 2001, the Beaumont Foundation of America was originally designed to support the use of technology to enhance and advance the lives of underserved individuals and populations. Its new mission is a continuation of its overall vision of helping those who are underserved throughout the country.

"We are deeply grateful to the directors and staff of the Beaumont Foundation for this generous grant," said LSS Chief Executive Officer Kurt Senske. "This is a significant gift for our children, many who arrive at our foster homes with all their worldly belongings in a trash bag. Being able to choose their own clothing helps start them on that first step in creating a new life and identity of their own."

Lutheran Social Services serves as the social service arm of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. LSS affiliated ministries serve more than 35,000 children, elderly and poor in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi, regardless of religious beliefs, ethnicity, gender or age. Its ministries include children's centers, therapeutic foster care, adoption, disaster response, emergency assistance, senior health care, retirement communities and adult day care.