On November 17, the Center for Changing Lives opened for business. Amid the chaos that happens in any move, employees were busy serving clients and getting their offices arranged. For more than a year, they have had temporary offices in the Phillips Eye Institute across the street. Finally they have a new building to call their own. The adjacent Park Avenue Apartments, which contain 48 units of affordable housing, opened September 1.

With a gift of $500,000 from the LSS Foundation and a gift of $250,000 from the Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation, the Center for Changing Lives Capital Campaign has now reached 94% of the $27 million goal.

LSS President/CEO Mark Peterson was featured on the KARE 11 TV show “Showcase Minnesota” on September 2. Host Corbin Seitz interviewed Mark about the Center for Changing Lives (CFCL), and was particularly interested in the green features of the building.

“It’s an impressive innovation, and I am excited that we are introducing this unique center right here in Minnesota,” Congressman Keith Ellison said. “The Center for Changing Lives is a great example of public-private partnership and will be a significant asset in our state to help end homelessness in Minnesota, move people out of poverty and give people the tools they need to become healthy and contributing members of our community.”

The Lutheran Social Service Board of Directors cordially invites you to the Celebration for Changing Lives, being held on Thursday, September 25, 2008, at International Market Square in Minneapolis.

This is your opportunity to join with other community leaders to celebrate achievement, inspire hope, change lives, and build community. Learn about the soon-to-open Center for Changing Lives at 2400 Park Avenue in Minneapolis. Hear life changing stories from people LSS serves.

The Park Avenue Apartments will open their doors in less than a month, and LSS is busy getting ready. The process of finding tenants is almost over – as of August 5, almost 90% of the 48 apartments have been set aside for approved residents. With over 1000 applications for housing, a lottery was held to choose families to move in. More than 48 applications were drawn in the lottery because not every family would qualify, and some families have pulled their applications from consideration.

Save the Date: September 25, 2008

The Center for Changing Lives will be the focus for this year’s LSS Celebration for Changing Lives. The dinner will be held September 25, 2008, at the International Market Square, Minneapolis. Register for your on-line invitation by clicking here.

2008 LSS Celebration for Changing Lives: Highlights

Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives Margaret Anderson Kelliher took a Hard Hat Tour of the Center for Changing Lives on June 18. In the photo, Speaker Anderson Kelliher (left) is pictured with LSS Chief Advancement Officer and former State Senator Ember Reichgott Junge.

A group of local women business leaders went on a Hard Hat Tour July 15 for a sneak preview of the new Center for Changing Lives. The tour was led by Jodi Harpstead, COO of Lutheran Social Service and Kate Wolford, CEO of The McKnight Foundation.