Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska has received a generous gift from Starbucks to support services for the LFS At Ease program, which provides confidential, supportive and therapeutic services for active military members, veterans and their families.
The donation was announced on Wednesday, February 7, 2018 at the Starbucks at Highway 370 and 72nd Street in Papillion. Starbucks Regional Director Ernie McIntosh announced the $10,000 donation alongside Cliff McEvoy, Program Manager for LFS At Ease. Also in attendance was Christopher Schmidt, Starbucks Manager of Veterans and Military Affairs, Retired Major General Roger Lempke of the Nebraska National Guard who is now Director of Military and Veteran Affairs for Nebraska U.S. Senator Deb Fischer, and Sharon Robino-West of the Veterans Administration. Starbucks employee Chris Lassiter, who is a military veteran and military spouse, also made brief remarks.
The Papillion location is one of 38 “Starbucks Military Family Stores” across the United States. Starbucks has pledged to hire 25,000 veterans at its stores by 2025. The company has already hired 10,000 veterans since 2013.
MORE ABOUT LFS AT EASE
LFS At Ease provides confidential, individualized therapy services for active and retired military personnel, veterans and their loved ones, regardless of ability to pay. Untreated trauma reactions and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can lead to physical illness, substance use disorder, social avoidance, family conflicts and a reduction in employment or school performance. War-exposed veterans can inadvertently “transfer” their trauma to loved ones, affecting their everyday lives including family interactions, social behaviors and emotional development in children.
LFS At Ease therapists use many approaches including families/couples therapy, peer support groups and educational opportunities which address PTSD, war zone stress reactions, trauma-related guilt, anger management and coping strategies for managing everyday life. When appropriate, LFS At Ease staff will coordinate services with other community agencies and refer clients to area resources.
To learn more or access services, call (402) 292-9105.
