Podcasts about lutheran social services

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The 2025 QC Foster Fair raises awareness and provides funds for Foster families and children in the Quad Cities, and in this conversation, Ken and Deb welcome Andrea McClean from Lutheran Social Services of Illinois to the studio for details on the event and the current need for Foster parents in the Illinois Quad Cities. Ken and Deb explore how you and your church can be a part of supporting foster children in our QCA community on Friday's Mornings with Seth and Deb!Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshow/wdlmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The U.S. stocks plummeted this morning as investors worried about potential economic devastation from President Donald Trump's tariffs.  The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1,200 points, or more than 3 percent, shortly after the open on Monday, and was headed to a third consecutive day of steep falls.  Trillions of dollars have been wiped out in global stock markets since President Trump unveiled sweeping tariffs last week.  MPR News host Angela Davis talks with economic and personal finance experts about how the stock market tumble affects retirement savings and how to manage your money in uncertain days ahead.Guests:Chris Farrell is a senior economics contributor for MPR News and Marketplace.  Kim Miller is a senior program manager for LSS Financial Counseling, a program of Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota. Michelle Singletary is an author and journalist who writes for “The Color of Money,” The Washington Post's personal finance column.   

“They're fighting their way through this crazy immigration system that is ineffective, illogical, and inhumane. … There's a wideness in God's mercy. Since when has anybody said mercy for some and not for all? … Fixing immigration is really different than blowing it up.  … This is not an impossible crisis to solve. … We need to not be divided by our political affiliations. As Christians, we stand with Christ, who critiques all human institutions.” (Alexia Salvatierra, from the episode) The immigration crisis on US borders reveals a deeper crisis of humanity—another example of democracy at a turning point. What should be the Christian response to the current immigration crisis? How can the individuals and small communities take effective action? And who are the real people most affected by immigration policy in the United States? In this episode, Mark Labberton welcomes theologian, pastor, and activist Alexia Salvatierra. She shares stories from the front lines of immigration justice. Alexia Salvatierra is an ordained Lutheran pastor and a leading voice in faith-based social justice movements. She serves as assistant professor of integral mission and global transformation at Fuller Theological Seminary and has been a key organizer in immigrant advocacy for over four decades. She co-authored Faith-Rooted Organizing: Mobilizing the Church in Service to the World and works extensively with grassroots organizations to address the intersection of faith, justice, and policy. Together they discuss: Personal testimonies and policy insights based on stories of real people facing the immigration system in the United States The challenges immigrants face under an increasingly unforgiving system How faith communities can respond with faithful courage and productive grief, instead of outrage The global nature of the immigration, refugee, and foreign-aid crisis The width of God's mercy and the effectiveness of immigration and refugee public policy A call to action for Christians to become “gracious disrupters” and stand with the vulnerable Helpful Links and Resources World Relief – Christian organization supporting refugees Lutheran Social Services – Organization falsely accused of money laundering Show Notes Immigration policy and the church's response The impact of executive orders on deportation and asylum seekers Faith-based advocacy for immigrants The role of Latino churches in immigrant support How Christians can move from outrage to courageous action Immigration reform Faith-based activism ICE raids on churches Asylum seekers and deportation Christian response to immigration crisis Latino churches and advocacy Political fear versus Christian courage The role of the church in justice Broken immigration system Policy changes under different administrations Immigration Today: Stories and Case Studies An Assemblies of God pastor from Guatemala, facing deportation despite three qualifying cases for legal residency—South Los Angeles “ That's what we mean by a broken system, is there's all these little wrinkles in the system that don't work.” Detention at a deportation facility called Adelanto ”They're fighting their way through this crazy immigration system that is ineffective, illogical, and inhumane.” Asylum, ankle bracelets, and “legitimate fear” “ They said he was a criminal because he had entered without authorization twenty years before when he was a teenager.” ICE agents attempting to detain a man during a worship service ICE and “sensitive locations”—Is a church an ICE “sensitive location”? Hispanic Theological Education Association Latino Christian National Network “That arrest has  provoked intense fear. …  they're terrified to go to church.” The impact of anti-immigration policies on church attendance and spiritual care A desperate mother of a special-needs child preparing legal custody papers in case of deportation The economic and moral contradictions in mass deportation efforts “Cities that have municipal sanctuary laws are threatened with suit by the new administration.” The Global Immigration and Refugee Crisis “All around the world immigration is in crisis.” 1980 Refugee Act “All the countries who signed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights have to take refugees.” The concept of “Refoulment”—”which means that you're sending someone back to die.” “Not only are all refugee programs stopped, but current refugees are not getting the support that they need.” “ Costa Rica is a five-million-person  country and they've taken two million refugees.” American Immigration During the Trump Administration Elon Musk saying “ that Lutheran Social Services was a money-laundering machine.” Current administration's policies as “ bold, unilateral, and so comprehensive and unnuanced” “If the Trump administration is successful at deporting ten million people, many of whom have been here over twenty years, thirty years, um, where will we find the labor that we need?” Policy and Legal Discussion The end of Deferred Deportation under the Trump and Biden administrations Executive orders eliminating prioritization of deportation The freezing of USAID and refugee support programs “All foreign aid has always been strategic. It's never not.” “Global warming refugees” “The current president of Venezuela loves gangs.” “Fixing immigration is really different than blowing it up. …  this is not an impossible crisis to solve.” The bipartisan immigration bill that Trump advised Republicans to block Historical immigration policies and their effectiveness “Policy does make a difference.” Objection to open borders: What about mercy for Americans? A false dichotomy. God's mercy is wide. “We have a number of believers in Congress who are acting out of fear right now and not out of faith.” Call to Action How faith communities can support immigrants “Immigrant churches are taking the brunt of this.” Why outrage doesn't help the process Ways to engage with legislators and advocate for reform The importance of standing with immigrant churches in this moment Supporting organizations like World Relief and Lutheran Social Services “The bulk of the people in the United States, the majority, have not had to grieve on this level. Not had to grieve with this intensity, with this constancy. Our spiritual muscles are weak—in terms of knowing how to grieve and keep going and trust God. ‘Though he slay me, I will worship him.'” “Encourage literally means ‘to get more courage.' You know, to give courage, to get courage. And so I just would want everybody to stop being outraged and start being courageous.” Production Credits Conversing is produced and distributed in partnership with Comment magazine and Fuller Seminary.

In our current economy, there is a lot of uncertainty. Tariffs are threatening to raise prices of everything from gas to groceries. And thousands have lost their job or are worried they may with federal cuts impacting state and non-profit work. U.S. consumer confidence plummeted last month. It was the biggest monthly decline in more than four years. And it is leading people to change their spending habits.So how do you prepare for the unknown when it comes to your finances? We turned to get some professional help.Our ask: What are some budget tips during uncertain economic times?Our professional: Kim Miller, senior program manager and financial counselor with Lutheran Social Services.

00:00 Show open/ Dr. Clyde Yancy, Northwestern University Chief of Cardiology on heart disease 5:54 Roger Krone, President & CEO of Scouting America- celebrating its 115th birthday. 11:42 Roxy Couse, The Millenial Manager from Dayton, on planning PTO so none is lost. 18:29 Face the State: Protests against Trump policies with Constitutional Law expert Ruth Colker. DOGE on Lutheran Social Services funding with LSS CEO Rachel Lustig. 33:42 Face the State: Governor Mike DeWine's budget proposal regarding a child tax credit and increases to the state's tobacco and sports gambling taxes. Columbus City Schools reaction to the state's bathroom law.

It seems that Jabba The Musk has turned his ire on the bloated, overpaid and corrupt, Lutheran Social Services...? Also, for the first time, the CDC hasn't posted this information to the country. Then we welcome back to the show, New York Times Best Selling Author Andra Watkins. Andra was raised in a strict Christian Nationalist home and though she has left, she brings her knowledge as a guide of what to expect from The Felon President. As always, thank you for listening, texting and calling, we couldn't do this without you! Don't forget to download the free Civic Media app and take us wherever you are in the world! Matenaer On Air is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 10 am - noon across the state. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! You can also rate us on your podcast distribution center of choice, they go a long way! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X and YouTube to keep up with Jane and the show! Guest: Andra Watkins

Congrats to Lutheran Social Services.

Are you caring for someone with dementia or Alzheimer's? Consider the resources offered by Lutheran Social Services for respite care! When & Where for Senior Care is brought to you by Serenity Assisted Living and Memory Care in Dilworth, MNSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Congrats to Lutheran Social Services.

This week we learn about the Outdoor Warrior Nation, meet with Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota and get an update from the Minneapolis VA Health Care System. Guests include: SGM (Ret.) Lisa Hungiville – Outdoor Warrior Nation  LTC (Ret.) Greg Hungiville – Outdoor Warrior Nation Adam Dorow – Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota Director Patrick […] The post Outdoor Warrior Nation and LSS Core Program appeared first on Minnesota Military Radio.

It's hard for a lot of people to feel good about their finances and their future. Now there's a new term for that: money dysmorphia. It borrows from the term “body dysmorphia,” a mental health condition that causes a person to obsess about a perceived physical flaw. Money dysmorphia is not an actual diagnosis. Still, there are many people who feel insecure about their finances, even though they actually may be doing fine.If you feel that way, you are not alone. In fact, a survey earlier this year found 43 percent of Gen Z respondents and 41 percent of millennial respondents said they experienced money dysmorphia.To understand more about this and where it comes from, MPR News guest host Nina Moini talks with Kim Miller, a financial counselor with Lutheran Social Services.

Getting out among the people always reveals the truth. Tina Peters' is a case in corruption. Server imaging is a job, not a crime. Selecting an objective jury is an issue. Protect and serve doesn't apply. It is all about punishment. The sheriff is elected on Dominion machines. Federal involvement via tech dude substitute. This could get dangerous. Blowing the whistle since 2015. Lutheran Social Services are involved, as always. Auditors cannot audit other agencies without permission. They try to destroy every single remedy. The Right actually plots the most evil schemes. Kyle gets shamed. It's what communists do. Vance's transitory position makes sense now. How many times will we sing this song? They put us against each other. The frequency of truth is based in authenticity. Let it slide, but she will remember. Trump's people are not all good. Get in line if you want to probe. The alpha agencies were first. Focusing on the people is crucial. Honesty can be messy, but authenticity will be successful, manipulation will not.

You can make a positive impact in the life of a child by opening your home to a foster child! On Wednesday's show, Andrea McClean, Licensing Worker and Foster Parent Recruiter at Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, will be with us to talk about the urgent need for foster homes in our community. Andrea will share about the need for loving homes and the many other ways to be a support and help to foster children and their families. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lina Arboleda, law graduate pending for bar admission, has had a long journey to achieve her career goals in the United States. As an attorney in Colombia, coming to the U.S. and finding her way wasn't always easy or involving a clear pathway. Moving from ESL classes, courses at the local community college, having different jobs not related to her career, to attending law school at Pace University, she has covered a lot of ground. Now, as a staff immigration attorney (working under a supervising attorney) at the Lutheran Social Services in NYC she is instrumental in helping immigrants create their own pathway during a critical time in our nation's history. Brava!

Unlock the secrets to ethical leadership and effective governance with Dr. Kurt Senke, a luminary in the non-profit world and a beacon of wisdom in organizational leadership. Our enlightening conversation with Dr. Senske is a treasure trove of transformative lessons, mentorship tales, and the profound integration of personal values into professional life. From navigating the corridors of law and politics to the sacred halls of academia, Dr. Senske's journey is not just a story—it's a roadmap for anyone aspiring to lead with integrity and impact.Dive into the often-misunderstood realm of non-profit and congregational governance alongside Dr. Senske, as he dissects the myriad challenges boards face today. Discover how diversity in skills and age within leadership can revolutionize the way organizations operate. With a wealth of anecdotes and research findings, our discussion reveals how to tailor governance structures to stay mission-focused amidst technological advances and societal changes. And, when the pandemic has upended traditional norms, learn why adaptability is your greatest ally in steering your board through uncharted waters.The episode reaches a crescendo discussing the pivotal role of mission refocusing and succession planning in organizational longevity. Dr. Senske walks us through the metamorphosis of Lutheran Social Services of the South into 'Upbring,' showcasing how strategic realignment can amplify an organization's core mission. As we dissect the nuances of training future leaders and preparing for leadership transitions, listeners gain invaluable insights for cultivating stability and foresight in their institutions. Join us for a masterclass in leadership that promises to equip you with the tools to govern with foresight and grace. Support the showWith 4Freedom, all your communications, internet activity, and app usage are encrypted using multiple layers of robust, military-grade encryption algorithms that surpass the standards used by the NSA.You can start your secure account today:https://www.4freedommobile.com?ref=bridgebuildersGive the gift of books to your loved ones. Please give them a 3-month Audible subscription.Amazon will send your gift recipient an email on the day you choose along with redemption instructions, or allow you to print and give it directly based on your selected option. The gift recipient can start their Audible Premium Plus membership right away. Current Audible members will receive all credits from a redeemed gift membership at once. Their current plan will be kept from being extended or interrupted.https://www.amazon.com/hz/audible/gift-membership-detail

Our guest today was Kate LePage, East Central Safe Harbor Regional Navigator and Program Manager with Lutheran Social Services. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our guest today was Kate LePage, East Central Safe Harbor Regional Navigator and Program Manager with Lutheran Social Services.

Nate Monroe, metro columnist at the Florida Times-Union, joined us to discuss the federal trial against former JEA CEO Aaron Zahn and former CFO Ryan Wannemacher. Later, we heard about a new housing program funded by United Way; the work of Lutheran Social Services to resettle refugees; and the Mister Rogers Sweater Drive.

More than 800,000 Minnesotans have begun paying back federal student loans worth $27 billion for the first time in three years. According to the state's Office of Higher Education, the median debt for a Minnesotan with a bachelors degree is just under $24 thousand.In late June, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down President Joe Biden's student loan forgiveness program, which would have cancelled loans for millions across the country. Now those with debt need to rearrange tight budgets to make room for new large payments. MPR News Host Cathy Wurzer brought a few questions from borrowers to Lutheran Social Services financial counselor Kim Miller.

Hector Colon is a distinguished individual who transitioned from a successful boxing career to becoming an accomplished CEO, attributing his success to humility and leadership. As a seven-time national boxing champion and the current president and CEO of Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, Hector's unique perspective on his transformation is rooted in the virtues he learned from boxing. He believes that courage, humility, temperance, magnanimity, perseverance, and servant leadership, all virtues he honed in the boxing ring, have been instrumental in his success as a CEO. Hector also emphasizes the importance of discipline, daily habits, and focus in achieving greatness, lessons he learned firsthand from his boxing career. Join Omar Medrano and Hector Colon as they delve deeper into this fascinating journey on the next episode of the What IF It Did Work? podcast.www.champinstitute.comJoin the What if it Did Work movement on FacebookGet the Book!www.omarmedrano.comwww.calendly.com/omarmedrano/15min

Franklin Lee joins She Thinks podcast this week as we consider the new ways young Americans are approaching their future—from living in tiny homes to giving up lucrative careers for a nomad life. We dissect what “van life” really is and what it means for the housing market as well as how this plays into the need for a college degree. Finally, we discuss the impacts on families both in marriage and on kids. Franklin Lee is the Senior Associate for the Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties team at R Street Institute. Lee is also the DC Hub Coordinator for America's Future. Previously, he worked as a paralegal for Lutheran Social Services of New York (LSSNY). Lee has published two books, From Harvard to Homeless: Journeys of a Millennial Nomad and an Amazon bestseller, The Art of Napping: The Sleeping Samurai and the Dormant Dragon.--She Thinks is a podcast for women (and men) who are sick of the spin in today's news cycle and are seeking the truth. Once a week, every week, She Thinks host Beverly Hallberg is joined by guests who cut through the clutter and bring you the facts. You don't have to keep up with policy and politics to understand how issues will impact you and the people you care about most. You just have to keep up with us. We make sure you have the information you need to come to your own conclusions. Because, let's face it, you're in control of your own life and can think for yourself. You can listen to the latest She Thinks episode(s) here or wherever you get your podcasts. Then subscribe, rate, and share with your friends. If you are already caught up and want more, join our online community. Be sure to subscribe to our emails to ensure you're equipped with the facts on the issues you care about most: https://iwf.org/connect. Independent Women's Forum (IWF) believes all issues are women's issues. IWF promotes policies that aren't just well-intended, but actually enhance people's freedoms, opportunities, and choices. IWF doesn't just talk about problems. We identify solutions and take them straight to the playmakers and policy creators. And, as a 501(c)3, IWF educates the public about the most important topics of the day. Check out the Independent Women's Forum website for more information on how policies impact you, your loved ones, and your community: www.iwf.org. Subscribe to IWF's YouTube channel. Follow IWF on social media: - on Twitter- on Facebook- on Instagram#IWF #SheThinks #AllIssuesAreWomensIssues Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode #327: Welcome to the Let's Go Win Podcast, hosted by JM Ryerson. In this exhilarating episode, JM sits down with the incredible guest, Héctor Colón, a 7-time national boxing champion, to explore the essential virtues for life and leadership.Drawing from his extensive experience in the boxing ring, Héctor shares invaluable lessons on courage, humility, temperance, magnanimity, and perseverance. Join us as we delve into the profound significance of these virtues and how they can unlock your true potential in both life and leadership.Join JM Ryerson and Héctor Colón on the Let's Go Win Podcast as they break down the 5 essential virtues for life and leadership. Gain practical insights, actionable strategies, and empowering wisdom that will empower you to embrace these virtues and unlock your full potential.Subscribe now to the Let's Go Win Podcast for an unforgettable journey towards personal and professional growth. Get ready to embrace courage, humility, temperance, magnanimity, and perseverance as the key pillars for living your best life and becoming an exceptional leader.Bio:Héctor Colón is the President and CEO of Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan (LSS). Under his visionary and Servant-Leadership approach, Colón adapted new models and business strategies to increase impact and viability resulting in a multi-million dollar financial turnaround. Héctor is the USA Boxing Board Vice President, serves on the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, and on the Board of Directors for M3 Insurance and Nicolet Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQ; NCBS), the holding company for Nicolet National Bank. A seven-time national boxing champion, Colón, authored his first book, "My Journey from Boxing Ring to Boardroom: Five Essential Virtues for Life and Leadership in 20210. Already in 2023, Colón has been named a Titan 100 CEO, Milwaukee Business Journal Power Broker, and will be inducted into the 40 Under 40 Hall of Fame.Contact Héctor:Website: https://champinstitute.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/fromboxingringtoboardroomTwitter: https://twitter.com/HectorColonMKELinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hectorcolonmkeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hector.colon.mke

To get a better sense of the day-to-day work of DEI leaders, BizTimes worked with Beth Ridley of Ridley Consulting Group to record a podcast with members of an inclusive leaders roundtable group she leads. Along with Ridley, the conversation included Sri Kadasinghanahalli, vice president of enterprise data and analytics at Milwaukee-based MGIC Investment Corp.; Michelle Naples, chief integration officer at West Allis-based Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan; and DeAnna Osteen, vice president of human resources at Glendale-based Weyco Group.

When do you feel most connected to God in worship? And if you could nix any part of worship, what would it be?These are questions Kelsey posed to her community on social media, and the responses were wild! An overwhelming majority of folks wanted to get rid of Passing the Peace (a time of walking around & greeting one another saying, "Peace be with you"). The things people loved the most? You'll have to listen to find out!Join Pastors Kelly and Kelsey as they sit down to talk about the results, and Pastor Kelly's theory as to how we can simplify worship and embrace it like a regular family dinner - nothing too spectacular, but meaningful nonetheless. About Pastor KellyThe Rev. Kelly Nieman Anderson is an experienced educator, youth minister, and ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). As the Manager of Church and Community Engagement for Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, Pastor Kelly is passionate about sharing God's healing, justice, and wholeness with everyone she meets. She first learned about Lutheran Social Services from a nationwide perspective after becoming a licensed foster parent in Michigan, and since then she has been connected to this work in multiple states. When she's not visiting churches, she's traveling for fun—often with her husband in an electric car, bicycle, or motorcycle—to try new food or visit their nieces and nephews. At home, she enjoys relaxing with their rescue cats.Connect with us!Sign up to receive a little Gospel in your inbox every Monday Morning with our weekly devotional.Check out our website for great resources, previous blog posts, and more.Get some Lady Preacher Podcast swag!Connect with us on Instagram and Facebook

Nine are wounded in another mass shooting in Florida; a foundation for opioid addiction comes to Jax; Lutheran Social Services has a summer food drive; the Women's Wednesday networking event is scheduled next week.

Welcome to Protecting Your Nest with Dr. Tony Hampton. Dorothy Brown is an attorney and certified public accountant. She served as the clerk of the circuit court of Cook County, Illinois from 2000-2020. She has served as the president of the National Women's Political Caucus of Greater Chicago and as the president of Lutheran Social Services, Illinois. She is also the founder/Executive Director of the Star Scholarship Fund. In this discussion, Dr. Tony and Dorothy talk about: (05:00) A little bit about who Dorothy is as a person (07:08) Dorothy's earliest memories from her childhood in Louisiana (10:28) What a clerk for a circuit court does (14:31) Dorothy's health journey (26:20) Why people struggle to focus on their own health (29:53) Advice for people struggling to get started with a low-carb diet (33:43) How to balance exercise with recovery Thank you for listening to Protecting Your Nest. For additional resources and information, please see the links below.    Links:   Dr. Tony Hampton: Linktree Instagram Account LinkedIn Account Ritmos Negros Podcast Q Med Symposium for Metabolic Health Lectures

Andres Almosny has enough cultural ties to weave an intricate tapestry — being born in Argentina to Venezuelan parents, moving to the Dominican Republic as a young person, and marrying his Puerto Rican wife before moving to the U.S. in early 2020. Being focused is a key part of his approach to making a lifetime of transitions feel sustainable and achievable. As a former sports broadcaster and current development coordinator at Lutheran Social Services, Andres brings a goal-oriented mentality to everything he does. Taking ownership of his identity as an immigrant has kept him in positive spirits with an open mind, and given him a penchant for finding a soccer team wherever he goes. Music: Ketsa - Acid Road

                                            Héctor Colón is a Servant-CEO and shares his lessons about how "Humility is at the core of serving others", why "Perseverance is about not giving up" and "Listening is more important than providing feedback" along with other great lessons. Hosted by Siebe Van Der Zee.  About Héctor Colón Servant-CEO, Héctor Colón is the President and CEO of Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan (LSS). Under his visionary and Servant-Leadership approach, Colón has positioned LSS for greatness - adapting new models and business strategies to increase impact and viability for staff, clients and the organization. Before the start of Colón's tenure in 2017, the organization had not met its budget for four consecutive years. During Colón's first three years, LSS grew from over $4 million in losses to $8 million in gains resulting in a $17.6 million financial turnaround. No stranger to financial turnarounds, Colón worked with his team to turn multi-million dollar deficits into multi-million dollar surpluses while serving as Executive Director of the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services. In addition, he led several countywide initiatives, including efforts to reform the juvenile justice system, end chronic homelessness, transform mental health care, and end a 30-year waitlist for disabilities services. Héctor will say that his own personal and professional turnaround began in boxing. As a member and champion of the national USA Boxing team, he won seven national titles and competed in the 1992 Olympic trials. At the height of his boxing career, Colón stepped away from a lucrative boxing career to serve God. Today, he is the USA Boxing Board Vice President where he and the organization focus on inspiring athletes to discover their own path towards personal and professional greatness. He also serves on the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, and the Board of Directors for M3 Insurance, as well as Nicolet Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQ; NCBS), the holding company for Nicolet National Bank. Colón's life experiences and success prepared him to answer the call of Servant-CEO. He is working to inspire a Servant-CEO collective to revolutionize the social services sector as we know it today in the following ways: • Position the nonprofit industry as the employer of choice • Fully commit to the growth and development of all clients and their potential for greatness • Reimagine a Servant-Led sector that will thrive well beyond the next century Colón was named a 2021 Notable Minority Leader and the 2019 Nonprofit Executive of the Year by BizTimes Media. He also was chosen as Hispanic Man of the year by United Migrant Opportunity Services (UMOS). His first book, “From Boxing Ring to Boardroom: Five Virtues For Life and Leadership” is available for purchase on amazon.com. He launched LSS' first podcast, "In the Ring with Héctor Colón" on March 16th. Episode Notes Lesson 1. Courage is about facing your fears 04:47 Lesson 2. Humility at its core is about serving others 07:21 Lesson 3. Temperance is about self-control and restraint 11:19 Lesson 4. Magnanimity is about striving for excellence 14:18 Lesson 5. Perseverance is about not giving up 16:56 Lesson 6. Listening is more important than providing feedback 20:51 Lesson 7. Empathy is about your willingness to walk in some else's shoes 26:06 Lesson 8. Stewardship is about paying it forward 30:59 Lesson 9. Commitment to growth of people is a great way to give back 35:01 Lesson 10. Building community is about equity diversity and inclusion. 39:06

In the basement of a Columbia Heights home, Baheerullah Shinwari offers an assortment of nuts and hot tea. There are enough almonds, pistachios and cashews to feed a dozen people, but there are only a few people seated on traditional Afghan floor cushions and rugs. Hospitality is an important part of his culture, the father of five explained. “Can I make you some lunch?” Shinwari offered in Pashto. Kerem Yücel for MPR News It is a tradition in Afghan culture to serve candy and nuts to the guests who come to the house. Kerem Yücel for MPR News Baheerullah Shinwari offers tea to Ahmad Shah during an interview. Since the United States pulled out of Afghanistan after a 20-year war last August, Minnesota has seen an influx of more than 1,500 newly arrived Afghans to the state. Among the Afghan evacuees was the Shinwari family which includes Baheerullah, his wife and five children, ranging in age from 2 to 13. All of them are learning English together. “Once they learn English, life will be easy for them,” Shinwari said. He adds that he hopes they will all become doctors.  The Shinwari family is not unlike other groups of new Minnesota residents, like Hmong and Somali refugees who arrived here in the 1970s and 1990s, who've come here to escape natural or man made-disasters. Five agencies in Minnesota have been at the forefront of efforts to resettle refugees: the International Institute of Minnesota, Minnesota Council of Churches, Arrive Ministries, Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota and Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota. Shinwari is still working on his English, so helping translate is Ahmad Shah, who worked as an interpreter in Afghanistan before coming to Minnesota himself in 2016. Kerem Yücel for MPR News Ahmad Shah (left) and Baheerullah Shinwari (right) pose for a photo in Shinwari's home. Shah founded the Afghan Community of Minnesota and also works with one of the five resettlement agencies in Minnesota, the Minnesota Council of Churches. When Shah first came to Minnesota there were about 300 Afghans in the state, he recalled. In the last several months since the end of the war, that number has grown to around 1,800 and counting. And they are relying heavily on the people like him who have already settled in for help with basic needs like transportation, filling out paperwork, finding work and enrolling children in schools.  “We make their connections with communities and different organizations,” Shah explained. “Then they will understand in the future and they can solve their own problems.” Shah said Shinwari was lucky he already had a cousin living in Minnesota who found him this home. The resettlement agencies help with six months of rent and other resources. For the Shinwari family, that time period has passed and this is the first month the Shinwaris are expected to pay all their bills on their own. Shah said that is when it is most important for the growing community to help one another. Shinwari, who has a background in military service working alongside Americans, found work as a security guard and then another job at Boston Scientific on his own, Shah said. Kerem Yücel for MPR News Baheerullah Shinwari and his son Yasser play in their home. Help is only temporary State Refugee Coordinator Rachele King explains the hard work is just beginning for many newly arrived Afghan individuals and families that came with nothing and have experienced a great deal of trauma. Assistance from the state resettlement agencies is not expected to be a long-term resource. “It is really buying people time to fully integrate and draw on the resiliency they have, skills they came with and the experience and hope and desire for a future here,” King said.   King explains individual presidential administrations set a cap for how many refugees the country will accept every year. Those numbers fell to historic lows under the Trump administration and continued below average under the Biden administration and during the coronavirus pandemic. The federal government then consults with the Minnesota Department of Human Services and resettlement agencies to see how many refugees they can reasonably accommodate when factoring in housing and other challenges. Kerem Yücel for MPR News Yasser, son of Baheerullah Shinwari, steps out from their home. In the case of Afghan evacuees, who worked along U.S. troops, King said the federal government created a parallel system for newly arrived Afghans that gives them humanitarian protection status for two years, but does not give them refugee status or a clear path to permanent residency, which is the goal since most fear for their lives if they returned to Afghanistan. “So that is a really huge question, challenge and concern for so many of the people who are here right now because it's an open question of what permanency looks like and what exact path that will take.” Congress recently declined to pass a measure, the Afghan Adjustment Act, that would have created a path to permanent residency for newly arrived Afghans. Sarah Brenes, the Refugee & Immigrant Program Director for The Advocates for Human Rights, said in the absence of an adjustment act, organizations like hers are working hard to mobilize volunteer attorneys to represent individuals and families in asylum claims, one of the two main paths to permanent status.  “We are partnering with other legal service providers, resettlement agencies and community organizations to also support those who may be eligible for Special Immigrant Visas based on their work with the U.S. Government while in Afghanistan,” Brenes said.   Besides questions about how they will be able to stay in the United States, Shah said many newly arrived Afghans are extremely worried about their family members or colleagues among the thousands of Afghan allies the U.S. left behind in its chaotic withdrawal. “Twenty-four hours per day, people searching for them to find them and kill them,” Shah said. “Their life is pretty dangerous.” A familiar story The stories of Afghan arrivals and those left behind remind historian Chia Youyee Vang of her own family story. Vang's family members were among some of the first Hmong arrivals in Minnesota in the 1970s. The Vietnam War had spread to Laos and the United States recruited the Hmong to fight against communism.  “We paid for this migration with the blood of our men and women who died on behalf of the American nation, although knowing nothing about it,” Vang said. Vang is now a historian, author and Vice Chancellor of Diversity Equity and Inclusion at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Vang described how war and natural disasters often lead to new groups arriving in Minnesota. While there are what she calls push factors, like war, there are also pull factors, like the hope for a better quality of life in the United States that lead to new arrivals and various forms of immigration. The first large group of immigrants arrived from Europe, mostly Norway, Sweden, Ireland and Germany. Hmong refugees began arriving in the mid 1970s, and Somali refugees began arriving in the early 1990s after the collapse of the Somali government led to extreme violence. People born in Mexico, India and Ethiopia also make up the largest groups of foreign-born Minnesotans, according to state researchers. Christopher Juhn for MPR News 2017 Aidarus Aden, a refugee from Somalia, holds a sign at the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport on Jan. 29, 2017, in protest of the refugee ban that then-President Trump used an executive order to enact. Minnesota is also home to other, smaller refugee communities from around the world. According to a 2017 State Department report, in 2016 people from more than two dozen countries, including Myanmar, Belarus, Syria and Sri Lanka sought refuge in Minnesota.   As communities began to thrive over time, mostly in and around the Twin Cities, Vang explained they invited others to come through a process called chain migration.  “There are pockets all over the state, too, but they are mostly in the Twin Cities where there is a critical mass and you can have social support,” Vang said “So nothing different, in my opinion, than what the Norwegians and Swedes, nothing different than what they did.” New arrivals in workforce  Doualy Xaykaothao | MPR News 2016 Kaw Hai is the lead auto mechanic at SKD Auto Tek in St. Paul, here in October 2016. He's a refugee from the Karen State in Burma. According to 2017 data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, resettling refugees benefits the country's economy. While the exact yearly costs of refugee resettlement for Minnesota are difficult to determine, DHS receives approximately $5 million in yearly federal funds to support the statewide resettlement of refugees. State resettlement agencies reported that in fiscal year 2017, Minnesota ranked 13th in resettling refugees but was the highest per capita in the country. Thanks to a reputation as a welcoming state, Minnesota ranked first in the nation for secondary migration, which occurs when refugees move to Minnesota after an initial resettlement somewhere else. As consumers, immigrants, not just refugees, have an estimated more $650 billion in lifetime earnings and annual purchasing power of $5 billion, according to Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota. Immigrants pay an estimated $793 million in state and local taxes, annually. Immigrants are also a vital part of Minnesota's economy, according to state Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Steve Grove. The state estimates 10 percent of Minnesota's labor force are born outside of the U.S. About 105,000 new foreign-born residents joined the state over the last decade. “In fact, the only reason we are growing at all is because of international immigration,” Grove said about Minnesota. Minnesota also has an historic more than 200,000 open jobs, which is part of the reason the state created an Office of New Americans — which started services during the pandemic to help get resources to struggling immigrant-owned businesses.  “I think a lot of businesses would like to access immigrant talent and they don't really know how,” Grove said. “Unless you're big enough to have the resources a larger company might have, finding that talent is harder.”  Grove hopes the office will provide more efficient and individualized resources to pair people with jobs that match any previous experiences.  “I think it's just an awakening from an economic perspective, let alone a moral one, that this is imperative,” Grove said. “We have got to make the welcome mat for immigrants in this state as good as it's ever been.” But the office is grant-funded, leaving its future funding uncertain.  Vang said as a more diverse and international population continues to grow in Minnesota, and as conflict across the world continues to drive more movement across the globe, the state has a unique opportunity to embrace change and flourish as a result. “As a historian I keep reminding others, the things happening now, they have happened before,” Vang said. “It is about how we respond to them.” Pay it forward Kerem Yücel for MPR News Baheerullah Shinwari and his son Yasser sit front of the their house in Columbia Heights on May 11. Baheerullah Shinwari has hope. Hope that he, his wife and their five children — with help from the community — will thrive. Shinwari also looks forward to the day his family can pay it forward and help other new arrivals to Minnesota.  “I am happy, life is going well.” Full series North Star Journey What should we cover next? Pass the Mic Immigrants and refugees in Minnesota Connecting past and present

Today we're taking a long-overdue look at the health and well-being of refugee communities in our state. You may not know this, but Arizona is widely known as a welcoming state for refugees from around the world. These are individuals and families who have fled their home countries due to persecution or fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. In the last six months (October '21 through March '22), Arizona has helped over 2,600 people resettle, the majority of whom are fleeing Afghanistan. This brings us to today's panel discussion with a local leader from Lutheran Social Services – a refugee resettlement agency in Arizona – and two local representatives of We Are All America (one of whom is a former refugee from Afghanistan, and the other a former refugee from Bosnia-Herzegovina). We hope you enjoy.

This week, Enzi welcomes Kristina Berg, the director of engagement for Children's Home and Lutheran Social Services to discuss the fostering and adoption system in Minnesota, and how the Jewish community can play a part.For more information: email welcome@chlss.org, or go to https://chlss.org

The Adelphi University School of Social Work will present “BreaKING the Ice: Black Men's Mental Health and Wellness Conference,” a conference highlighting the importance of mental health and wellness among Black men, on Saturday, April 30, 9a – 4p on the on the Garden City Campus. The conference is free to attend, but registration is required. Make sure to register soon as seats are filling up fast. The last day to register is April 15, 2022. Here is the link: https://www.adelphi.edu/events/breaking-the-ice-black-mens-mental-health-and-wellness-conference/ The conference will examine mental health from a holistic standpoint by exploring the multiple issues affecting health and how various institutions interact and reinforce one another. “In these times of uncertainty, the pandemic coupled with the number of suicide cases amongst Black men, attention must be paid right now to discuss and normalize Black men's mental health and wellness,” said Schanica Pickens, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and Director of the Masters of Social Work program. In collaboration with Arron Muller, MSW '12, CEO of Modify Wellness Inc., and the Adelphi University School of Social Work, “BreaKING the Ice” will feature keynote speaker Damyn Kelly '83, PhD '20, JD, president and CEO of Lutheran Social Services of New York, a nonprofit organization that focuses on early childhood education, foster care, immigrant services, supportive housing, immigration legal services and a school for special needs children. Dr. Kelly is one of the foremost social work leaders in New York and is one of the rare Black executives heading a large social service organization. He is a frequent speaker, presenter and lecturer on issues pertaining to diversity, equity and inclusion with a special emphasis on the lack of executives of color in the nonprofit sector. He also emphasizes the lack of Black males in leadership positions. Moderating the conference is Alain Berrouet, director of intergovernmental affairs for the New York City Department of Education. The conference will include a distinguished panel of community leaders, alumni and therapists. Panelists will share their stories, experiences, coping skills and resources for achieving mental wellness. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kelsunn-on-the-air/support

ICYMI: The Mo'Kelly Show Presents – A replay of Mo's conversation with LAX Police Chief Cecil Rhambo regarding Vision for Los Angeles should he become the new Sherriff & tackling “Sherriff Gangs”…PLUS – LSS President & CEO Dr. Lasharda Beckwith joins the program to discuss the Lutheran Social Services of Southern California's new Community Wellness Campus on KFI AM 640 – Live everywhere on the iHeartRadio app

ICYMI: The Mo'Kelly Show Presents – A conversation with Lutheran Social Services of Southern California President & CEO Dr. LaSharnda Beckwith regarding the new LSS comprehensive "Community Wellness Campus" in the City of San Bernardino, CA.

How can a single bully turn someone into the CEO of one of the largest non-profit organizations in the Midwest? Ask Héctor Colón. When he was just a boy, Héctor, like many, fell victim to unfair, cruel bullying. Yet, unlike many, he, with the encouragement of his father, decided to do something about it. By age 9, Héctor was enrolled in boxing classes, primarily as means of learning self-defense. By age eleven, he won his first National Title and was number one in the country for his weight class. He was gifted. Over the course of the next 8 or so years, Héctor earned three Silver Glove National Championships, two Junior Olympic National Championships, one U.S. National Championship, and a Muhammad Ali Invitational National Championship. Yet, despite his resounding success, he found a new ring to enter, one called upon by God. Héctor pursued higher education and strategically entered the business world with an eye on eventually becoming as successful a servant leader as he was once a fighter. Today, as the CEO of Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin & Upper Michigan, he is putting the fight to something different, but is still relentless in his pursuit of excellence. You can learn more about Héctor, his book, and everything else he has going on via his website: champinstitute.com. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/journeymenpdcst/support

As we continue to celebrate Black History Month, tune in to an encore episode on Leadership Matters as co-host Dr. Sheryl White explores life and lessons in leadership through the eyes of Black leaders. Special guests Rudolph A. Johnson, III, President and CEO of Neighborhood House Association, San Diego, CA and Kerron Norman, Chief Program Officer of Lutheran Social Services of New York will share their thoughts regarding the revealed pandemic on racism, views on a way forward, and additional food for thought for Black leaders and allies facing today's challenges. Join us for Leadership Matters: Informing leaders. Inspiring Solutions!

As we continue to celebrate Black History Month, tune in to an encore episode on Leadership Matters as co-host Dr. Sheryl White explores life and lessons in leadership through the eyes of Black leaders. Special guests Rudolph A. Johnson, III, President and CEO of Neighborhood House Association, San Diego, CA and Kerron Norman, Chief Program Officer of Lutheran Social Services of New York will share their thoughts regarding the revealed pandemic on racism, views on a way forward, and additional food for thought for Black leaders and allies facing today's challenges. Join us for Leadership Matters: Informing leaders. Inspiring Solutions!

Hi! Welcome to another episode of The Adoption Files. Please join me as I talk with Lisa Ann about the challenges of being adopted in Iowa and seeking your documents. We discuss how so many of us must become detectives, utilizing DNA tests, learning to decipher the meaning of centimorgans and the perils of making contact with matches. Lisa Ann is a closed adoption adoptee from the Baby Scoop Era, who authors the blog and hosts the podcast: The Wandering Tree. These focus on Lisa's experiences of searching and reunion, how the journey has been shared with family and friends and the impact it has had on their lives. You can connect with Lisa Ann viz the website: wanderingtreeadoptee.com Or, look for her via Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Audible or other podcast platforms. Resources: Dna Detectives Facebook page: A private page dedicated to helping people use DNA to find biological family for adoptees, foundlings, donor-conceived individuals, unknown paternity and other types of unkown parentage cases. This group is open to non-adoptees also. Adoption Reunions; Sioux City, Iowa Facebook group for Sioux City parents children and siblings involved in adoption through Florence Crittenton Home, Catholic Charities, Lutheran Social Services or private attorneys https:/www.facebook.com/groups/1758507587707530 Iowa Adoptees and Family Coalition Facebook Group: A coalition of adult adoptees, birth and adoptive family members joining together to change the Iowa laws restricting access to Original Birth Certificates (OBCs) and to educate Iowans about adoptin and searching. https:/www.facebook.com/IowaAdopteeRights Iowa Department of Public Health HF855: signed into law on May 19 2021. Adoptees born before 1 January 1971 can receive noncertified copy of their OBC. If adoptee is deceased, an entitled family member may apply. https:/idph.iowa.gov/health-statistics/Open-Adoption. The new law does contain a redaction clause, worded as a contact preference form. If a parent does not wish to be contacted, they may fill out the form and all identifying information will be redacted. Family Tree Magazine Podcast: www.familytreemagazine.com/genealogy-podcast DNA Painter: dnapainter.com/tools/sharedcmv4 Use the tools found on DNA Painter to help demystify your DNA results. They have four tools that use different pieces of your information to assist in determining DNA relationships. The Leeds Method-DNA Color Clustering: www.dnaleeds.com/the-leeds-method: a spreadsheet that helps to sort DNA matches into color-coded groups based on shared ancestors. *Being real here. I had every intention of reading and absorbing all of the editing instructions and making this neat and clean. Or, if that didn't work, hire some eighth grader to mock me whilst taking my money to do it for me. I also thought my spouse would be well, and I would not be waiting to see if a neurologist could fit us into their schedule so they could take pictures of his brain. As I sit here typing this, all I can say is that the last six weeks have been challenging.Yes, I am throwing myself upon your mercy. Please listen to the conversations for the content, and ignore the technical difficulties. If I can't figure this sh*t out for myself by the end of January, I am finding someone to trade with who will teach me the ways of the editing suite. Until then, much love and gratitude for your patience and compassion.

Héctor Colón is the President and CEO of Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan (LSS), a speaker and author.The post Héctor Colón, 5 Habits That Led Me from a Boxing Ring to a Boardroom (#205) first appeared on Mike Malatesta.

When a Liberal and a Leftist Walk Into a Bar...What happens when two well informed people pull up the proverbial barstool and start a friendly debate over our world’s current issues?  One hell of a conversation, that’s what.  Join me this week with guest Zachary Kihm as we have a lively discussion about critical race theory, the patriarchy, and equality!  In This Episode:Media embellishing narrativesDefunding the PoliceDangers of IdeologyWhere Leftists push too farPreventive measures for crimeMental health funding in a broken systemPatriarchySegregation and IntersectionalityUniversal basic income (UBI) Zachary Kihm is a social worker at Lutheran Social Services of Northern California, currently working with formerly homeless adults. He is also a graduate student at McGeorge School of Law, two classes away from receiving his Master's of Public Administration. Politically, Zachary is involved in local, state, and national politics. He runs two local political organizations -- Progressive Democrats of America Sacramento and Social Democrats USA (SDUSA) Sacramento -- and serves as Vice-Chair of Political Affairs for the Young Democrats of America (YDA) Hispanic Latinx (HLC) Caucus. He was recently elected as a Councilmember for the American Society of Public Administrators (ASPA). Personally, Zachary enjoys sports, reading, and watching anime/shows/movies. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zachary.kihmTwitter: https://twitter.com/KihmZacharyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachkihm/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-elias-kihm-255b3aab/ Get full access to True Thirty at truethirty.substack.com/subscribe

Our featured story comes from freelance photographer and writer Jeannee Sacken. In her debut novel, Behind the Lens, Sacken honors strong women. She champions their education and freedom to follow their hearts and passions. Her characters are courageous and complicated. She takes us to a war zone with a photographer who focuses on truth and witnesses cruelty, love, cultural beauty and betrayal. It's a riveting, multifaceted story set in Afghanistan. You will hear a scene from the novel and find out why Sacken's own life trajectory changed - why she followed her heart and started sharing women's stories. You can find out more about Jeannee Sacken, connect with her on social media and buy her book in the links below. She has also shared the names of charities helping refugees from Afghanistan right now. Thanks for listening. Links to Jeannee Sacken's work: https://www.jeanneesacken.com https://www.facebook.com/jeanneesacken https://instagram/authorjeanneesacken Link to Amazon to purchase Behind the Lens: https://amzn.to/3gNzfOo Organizations accepting donations of new clothing, shoes, supplies, and money: Islamic Society of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Muslim Women's Coalition, Lutheran Social Services, International Institute of Wisconsin, Jewish Social Services (based in Madison) Volunteering assistance: info@cclse.org (Catholic Charities of the Diocese of La Crosse), teamrubiconusa.org/resettlement, cclse.org/afghanistan-refugee-assistance --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theresa-bakken/support

Traffickers exploit any vulnerability they can find in their victims, whether that is trauma from past violence, isolation from support networks, language barriers, lack of familiarity with their surroundings, or simply their hopes and dreams for a better future. These vulnerabilities can be particularly heightened among immigrants and refugees, which is why we're thrilled to have Kristyn Peck, the CEO of Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area, on with us to share her insights into the intersection between human trafficking and migration. From the exploitation of domestic workers, to a teenager lured by the promise of romance, to construction workers trapped in debt bondage, join us on this episode of Driving Freedom as we discuss the stories of survivors and examples of how traffickers use their migrant victims' vulnerabilities as methods of both recruitment and control. Resources: Case example: (https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/former-stockton-convicted-human-trafficking-charges-related-forced-labor-foreign-nationals) Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area: https://lssnca.org/More about immigration and trafficking: The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants services for trafficking survivors webpage. Check out the toolkit, “Safety Planning with Foreign National Children and Youth Survivors of Trafficking,” for resources and tips. https://refugees.org/services-for-survivors/. 

Tune in to Leadership Matters as co-host Dr. Sheryl White explores life and lessons in leadership through the eyes of Black leaders. Special guests Rudolph A. Johnson, III, President and CEO of Neighborhood House Association, San Diego, CA and Kerron Norman, Chief Program Officer of Lutheran Social Services of New York will share their thoughts regarding the revealed pandemic on racism, views on a way forward, and additional food for thought for Black leaders and allies facing today's challenges. Join us for Leadership Matters: Informing leaders. Inspiring Solutions!

Tune in to Leadership Matters as co-host Dr. Sheryl White explores life and lessons in leadership through the eyes of Black leaders. Special guests Rudolph A. Johnson, III, President and CEO of Neighborhood House Association, San Diego, CA and Kerron Norman, Chief Program Officer of Lutheran Social Services of New York will share their thoughts regarding the revealed pandemic on racism, views on a way forward, and additional food for thought for Black leaders and allies facing today's challenges. Join us for Leadership Matters: Informing leaders. Inspiring Solutions!

In a time when every company is grappling to define the feel of their new virtual workplace, we talk to two extremely accomplished CEOs to find out how they are building and maintaining culture, overcoming obstacles and still growing their organizations during COVID.We talk to Hector Colon, CEO of Lutheran Social Services and Michael Victorson, CEO of M3 Insurance. They have great insight into how to manage remote teams, how to keep morale up, what job searchers should be doing right now, how to build a great team, and their path to leadership.

Celebrating the Spirit of Kwanzaa December 29, 2019 Rev. Joyce Palmer Kwanzaa is a holiday designed to honor and celebrate African American culture, values, and community. During the Kwanzaa celebration, everyone pledges to work together to improve themselves and to make their community a better place to live. This is a celebration that all are welcome to join.  Joyce Palmer served as the Assistant Minister at Unitarian Universalist Church West in Brookfield, WI. She received her Master of Divinity degree from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. She served as Director of Membership and Lay Ministry at All Souls Church UU, in Washington, DC. Joyce is the lead on the Marjorie Bowens Wheatley Scholarship Committee through the UU Women's Federation. Joyce and her family recently moved back to Rockford, IL to live closer to family. Joyce currently works at Lutheran Social Services of Illinois as a Child Welfare Specialist Supervisor. She is also a Community Minister at the UU Church of Rockford. She enjoys reading, teaching Nia dance classes, spending time with her husband Tim and sons Dorien and Antonio, and walking her terrier mix, Rosey.