Beaumont Foundation of America awards
$456,600 for LSS foster children

The Beaumont Foundation of America (BFA), as part of its mission of assisting the underserved, has awarded a $456,600 dollar grant to Lutheran Social Services to provide school clothing for foster children throughout Texas, as well as foster children receiving care at three LSS residential treatment centers. The grant will provide a $300 dollar clothing stipend per child for 2007. The monies will be disbursed in the fall and spring to defray costs for school clothing needs. The children will also be able to select their own clothes.

"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 foundation. "This is part of a $1 million statewide program that provided for eight foster care agencies in Texas with a grant."

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.

LSS cares for more than 1,500 children daily in its foster care program, including 180 children in residential treatment centers.

"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.

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