Emergency Services

Lutheran Social Services of Southern California (LSSSC) has a 75-year legacy of meeting needs in Southern California. We help the vulnerable, the underserved, and those who may be feeling powerless, regardless of race, creed, or orientation.

With the support of those in the community who care, we serve more than 30,000 individuals and families providing goods and services such as food pantries & hot meals, clothing, emergency vouchers for hotel, bus, gas, and utilities, housing and rental referrals, eviction prevention, prescription assistance, and holiday, school or hygiene packs. When there is an emergency we are quick to provide a humanitarian response during times of natural or man-made disasters. We also offer other short-term assistance programs.

Where possible we engage those seeking services with a case manager who provides access to long-term resources that address the individual’s systemic and prevailing needs. Our intent is to EMBRACE people at times of crisis and acute need by extending the compassion of Christ.

LIST OF SERVICES

Please note that all programs/services are NOT available at every LSSSC location. Please call ahead to verify available services.

Food & Clothing

  • Food Pantry – Fresh and non-perishable food in cans/cartons, refrigerated meats, vegetables & dairy products

  • Clothing Closet – Clean and sorted clothing by seasons and gender, for men, women and children

  • Community Meal Program – Our Community Meal Programs are among our largest volunteer driven programs. Volunteers prepared and served more than 80,000 meals. More than 50 community groups participate in our Meal Programs annually by purchasing and preparing food for our clients. 

Temporary Shelter

  • Housing Referrals – Contact information for Section 8 and other available subsidized housing

  • Motel/Rental Assistance Vouchers – Short term housing for crisis situations / Rent subsidies for specialized individualized cases

  • Men’s Homeless Shelter – Case managed 30/60/90 day program open 365 days to men 18 years and older

Transportation

  • Transportation Assistance – Discounted vouchers (when available) for specific cases.

Healthcare

  • Dental, Vision & Prescription Assistance – Select offices offer vouchers for low cost cleaning and basic dental services (including fillings). Basic optometry and free eye glasses are also available 

Supportive Services

  • Eviction Prevention – Case management intervention to determine available options for eviction prevention

  • Probation Counseling – Probation counselors provide behavior, substance abuse, and mental health counseling

  • Showers & Laundry – Scheduled access to shower facility for case managed clients. Subsidized short-term washer & dryer access

  • Utility Assistance – Partial subsidies for shut-off avoidance (paid directly to utility company)

Ambassadors are short-term volunteers who open doors for our organization in the community, introducing new people at our bi-monthly Fostering Community Care event. These are one hour awareness events only (no solicitations are made) to expose people to the great work of LSS Community Care. To become an Ambassador here are your responsibilities:
  1. 1 – Attend at least one Fostering Community Care event during the calendar year
  2. 2 – Host or invite and bring 10-15 guests to one Fostering Community Care event within 3 months of your attending one yourself.
  3. 3 – Inform your invited guests of what the Fostering Community Care meeting will be about, and let them know that they will receive a follow up call from the organization
  4. 4 – Ambassadors will complete their commitment after bringing 10-15 persons within the 3 month time period. An Ambassador has the option to complete after one term, continue for another 3 month term or move into another role on the team.
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Become an Ally

Allies are community members who want to be in a supportive, intentional, befriending relationship with an individual or family working to get out of poverty.

Other ways to help the Southern California Family Support Initiative
  • Be an Ad-Hoc Ally – share your special skill or talent
  • Be a member of your local Community Leadership Team
  • Assist with weekly Child Care/Children’s Programs
  • Be a Community Spokesman – talk about the initiative and recruit others to join
  • Financially Sponsor a Family Leader
  • Facilitate/assist with Training Our Leaders and Allies
  • Behind-the-scenes work – internet research, graphic design, writing
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We are actively seeking individuals and groups to be a part of our on-going mission to serve those in need. LSS administers over 50 specialized programs and services throughout the Southern California region. Contact your nearest LSS Center to hear about the local opportunities they have available.
Be a positive role model
Give back to others and help change lives
Transform communities
Spend your time doing something rewarding
Meet new people
Have fun
Learn new skills, share your talents, build your resume

The life you change most – may be your own!

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