Lutheran Social Services of Southern California

Lutheran Social Services of Southern California began in December 1944 when a group of Lutheran congregations in San Diego came together to discuss how to better assist families in need. They began discussing how to form a Welfare Commission. Their vision expanded when they came together with another group of Lutheran congregations in Los Angeles having the very same conversations. Lutheran Social Services of Southern California was officially incorporated in 1946 as a 501 (c3) non-profit social service agency. The mission has stayed true to its earliest beginnings, to be a servant to those in need.

Today LSS-SC annually serves hundreds of thousands of individuals and families throughout Southern California with over 50 different programs/services at over 20 different locations. We are part of the Lutheran Services in America (LSA) network and strive to serve those in need with dignity and respect.

• We EMBRACE those in crisis, with short-term, emergency services
• We EQUIP individuals and families, with program resources to help them on their journey
• We EMPOWER people to break the cycle of poverty, live with dignity and become self-sufficient