LSS receives award from
Habitat for Humanity and President Jimmy Carter
April 23, 2007

AUSTIN, Texas - Habitat for Humanity International recently recognized Lutheran Social Services of the South for it's partnership in meeting the needs of hurricane survivors seeking to rebuild their homes and lives along the Gulf Coast.

President Jimmy Carter, and
his wife, Rosalynn, presented
Dr. Kurt Senske, CEO of Austin-based Lutheran Social Services of the South, with a beautiful award during Habitat for Humanity's Jimmy Carter Weekend in Plains, Ga. The award was presented to LSS "for the creativity, courage
and compassion that has created a new vision for service and hope for thousands of families whose lives were devastated by the hurricanes of 2005 and beyond."

"This award is shared recognition for the incredible work of so many of our staff," said Senske. "From those running the volunteer camps and overseeing construction, to the case managers, Habitat Call Center staff and our spiritual care and counseling team."

LSS Disaster Response is the long-term disaster response program of Lutheran Social Services of the South. LSSDR is the local agent for Lutheran Disaster Response, a collaborative ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

Ken Meinert, HFHI senior vice president of the U.S./Canada Area office and senior vice president of HFHI's response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita said, "The proactive and energetic support that we have received from LSS has been tremendous. True professionals, committed to this work, and bringing great value and experience that compliments our work, and allows leverage around our family support, and many aspects of volunteer management and construction. We are proud to work together, and honored to work in the same communities as LSS staff and volunteers."

Since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita struck the Gulf Coast, LSSDR has coordinated the efforts of more than 23,500 volunteers from around the country who have gone to the region to help repair and rebuild over 6,500 homes. More than 10,000 families have been helped develop immediate and long-term recovery plans and to access the resources to restore their lives through case management services. The Habitat Call Center, a joint partnership with LSSDR, has assisted more than 3,900 families identify affordable housing options.

LSSDR also is providing mental health and spiritual counseling and offering a range of programs to children and adolescents to help them cope with and recover from the disasters.

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