I have been a mentor with the Nelson's Children Center for 8 months now and the progress I have seen and felt within the little girl I mentor is incredible! If it weren't for the staff and the various volunteers, my child would be in such a desolate place. But she is instead a happy little girl, one with a great outlook on life and has a nourished desire to learn and grow and trust in God for all life's valleys and heights.
The organization provides a wide range of quality services. In the residential treatment centers, skilled staff members are equipped to serve abused and neglected children. Although the traditional social system has failed these children, through LSSS they receive the caring and support that is necessary to facilitate healing.
I am proud to have served on the Board of LSSS for 8 years, so far. The organization is operated in an open and transparent manner with the interests of both the service population and the stakeholders in mind. The emphasis is on high-quality care in a fiscally-responsible manner. I've watched as the organization recruited and attracted some of the top staff in the industry. Management places a high priority on strategic planning, and has successfully anticipated several shifts in the service needs and funding sources. It is my pleasure and privilege to be associated with LSSS, to be a part of their mission, and to be able to learn from their practices.
LSSS is the most professionally run 501(c)(3) organization I have been involved with as a board member. LSSS operates under the "policy based governance model" developed by John Carver. This model works very effectively by having the board focus on outcomes and policies and the CEO running the organization. This model requires strong board and CEO leadership and that's exactly what LSSS has. Kurt Senske (CEO) has the trust and confidence of the board; he is willing to make the tough decisions. Kurt ensures that all programs are high quality and effective. He hires quality managers who care about delivering cost-effective and high quality services to the wide variety of people whom we serve. I was a board member for six years and after a six year absence, returned to the board when invited to do so because of the quality of service we provide to "the least of these", as we are called by Christ to do.