About LFS

Lutheran Family Services offers caring and supportive programs focused on children, community, and behavioral health.
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Our Mission

Lutheran Family Services expresses God’s love for all people by providing quality human care services that build and strengthen individual, family, and community life.

We Achieve Our Mission Through These Broad Service Areas

Behavioral Health

Supporting individuals and families through the highs and lows of life.

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Children Services

Providing for the needs of children and teens through Prevention and Early Intervention and Permanency and Well-Being.

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Family Services

Building stronger families through parent education, child support, and early detection and intervention.

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New Americans

Welcoming refugees and immigrants through career, housing, legal, and translation support.

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Our Leadership Team

Meet the people who help shape how LFS serves for the well-being of all people.

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Our Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors lead LFS by providing fundraising and financial oversight, strategic direction, and vision.

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Our Locations

Featuring 19 locations in Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas.

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21755

Clients Served in 2021

330

Employees

131

Years of Service

30

Languages Spoken by LFS Staff

Our History

1893

Pastor Peter Graef dedicates an orphanage (Lutheran Children’s Home) in Fremont in 1893.

Around the same time, Pastor Erik Fogelstrom of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Omaha founds Immanuel Children’s Home.

1894

First orphan festival held in Fremont

(Photo depicts the 1929 Fremont orphan festival)

1901

The Immanuel Children’s Home opened on the campus of the Immanuel Deaconess Institute in Omaha.

1918

Immanuel Children’s Home constructs a second home

“This is the entire Immanuel Deaconess Institute along Meredith Avenue. The deaconess living quarters are in the middle, the Bethlehem Children’s Home is on the right, and the first hospital is on the left.” – Adam Fletcher Sasse

1922

The Orphan Home Park is dedicated in Fremont

1927

Lutheran Children’s Home begin offering complete adoption and foster care services

1934

The Immanuel Children's Home in Omaha launches a foster parent program

1943

Lutheran Children’s Home begins providing social casework services

1958

Lutheran Children’s Home becomes Lutheran Family Service

1961

Immanuel Children's Home becomes Immanuel Social Service

1970's

Behavioral health programs are introduced

First-time programs included marriage and family counseling, family life education and domestic violence support

1971

Immanuel Social Service and Lutheran Family Service merge to become Lutheran Family and Social Service of Nebraska

Thomas Irwin appointed Executive Director

1972

Louis Heider named Interim Executive Director

1973

Rev. Eugene Jobst is appointed Executive Director

1975

Refugee Resettlement Services begin

1976

Willard Richardson is named Interim Executive Director following the death of Rev. Eugene Jobst and his wife in the Big Thompson Canyon flood in Colorado. Later that year, Curtis Anderson and Rev. Robert Greene are appointed Co-Executive Directors.

Offices open in Norfolk, Columbus, Grand Island and Ogallala.

1978

Chaplaincy coordination and volunteer hospital visitation programs begin.

1980's

Programs for substance abuse treatment, outpatient mental health and home-based services begin

1981

Curtis Anderson is appointed Executive Director

1984

Ruth Henrichs is named Executive Director.

Ruth would serve as the LFS Executive Director and then President & CEO for more than 40 years.