Lutheran Social Services of New York programs are designed to help people meet the many challenges of life with confidence and success.

Neighborhood Children Programs

We offer adoption, foster care, independent living programs, and residential programs for youth and families with extensive needs. The agency provides loving homes and support services for more than 400 children in foster care through a variety of specialized residential settings. Education programs help youth develop the skills and supports they need to become independent, responsible, and caring adults. Prevention programs help families learn how to provide a healthy home environment for children, and build greater strength and support within the community.

General Social Services

We provide direct assistance to low-income families and children with immediate or extensive needs. Our programs work with single mothers with dependent children, with very low income immigrants seeking refuge from war-torn nations, and with families affected by natural disasters and other tragedies. Three new LIFE Community Center locations provide food, clothing, childcare, education, employment assistance, legal services, and linkage to community resources. The Hunger Prevention program supports a network of 17 food pantries in New York. The Refugee Resettlement and Immigration Legal Services programs serve hundreds of immigrants and their families each year. Project LIFE helps people who lost jobs and family members in the September 11th terrorist attacks, rebuild their lives.

Specialized Residential Housing

We provide safe, attractive, and affordable homes for more than 500 people who experience severe mental illness, physical disability, substance abuse and addiction, and homelessness. The programs offer on site support services for residents with extensive needs, including: case management, employment assistance, recovery support programs, and recreational activities. Housing services help residents improve their health and financial stability as they build stronger ties with family, friends, and neighbors.

Educational Services

We provide quality education for middle and high school-aged students whose special needs cannot be met in a mainstream classroom setting. It offers counseling and specialized educational programs that help each student to realize his or her full potential.