Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest

06/10/2026

Women from our refugee community gathered in Tucson to make handmade cards and share time together. A special thank you to our Connectors and volunteers who came alongside them and helped make the day so meaningful! 💚

06/02/2026

Co-Sponsor Teams walk alongside refugee families who are building their lives in Arizona, offering friendship, encouragement, and practical support as they navigate a new community.

Interested in learning more about becoming a Co-Sponsor Team? Email [email protected] to learn more.

06/01/2026

We are so grateful to see Connie’s incredible leadership recognized by Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust. Thank you for celebrating her years of service, her heart for this work, and the difference she has made for so many people across Arizona.

Connie, we are so thankful for you and so proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition with you. 💚

Please join us in sending our warmest wishes to 2007 Piper Fellow Connie Phillips, MSW, as she prepares to retire at the end of July. As president & CEO of Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest, Connie has been an incredible force for social justice, mental health advocacy, and domestic violence prevention across Arizona.

Connie, thank you for dedicating your career to championing those who need it most. We are grateful for your leadership and wish you the best in your next chapter!

05/30/2026

Summer learning is off to a great start! 😎

This week, our Refugee School Impact kiddos kicked of their Second Sky STEM camp. They'll continue creating and learning together every week throughout the summer.

We're so excited to see their curiosity grow!

05/29/2026

Our World Refugee Day Collection is here! Every purchase of an “I Stand with Refugees” shirt directly supports LSS-SW’s work with refugees living in Arizona.

Shop the collection and stand with refugees: https://www.bonfire.com/store/lutheran-social-services-of-the-southwest/💚

05/15/2026

Meet Esha, a high school student, founder of Health Beyond Borders, and LSS-SW Partner in Action.

After volunteering at Banner Hospital, Esha saw how important health literacy is, especially for children and families who may not always see themselves reflected in traditional health education materials.

Through Health Beyond Borders, a youth-led organization, Esha creates and donates culturally tailored health education kits to local nonprofits, including LSS-SW. These kits help kids better understand their health, know when to seek help, and feel seen in the resources they receive.

Thank you, Esha, for sharing your leadership, compassion, and creativity with our community and the children and families we serve.

05/15/2026

Through our Listen4Good feedback cycle, families at our Family Resource Centers shared what’s working, what matters most, and where we can continue to grow.

Thank you to every family who shared their experience with us. 💚

Learn more about our Family Resource Centers at www.lss-sw.org.

05/14/2026

Yesterday’s Community Baby Shower was so much fun! 🍼

New and expecting families came together at our Phoenix Family Resource Center to pick out baby essentials, play games, and build community.

Thank you to our amazing Partners in Action for donating items and making the day feel so special. We’re so grateful for the way you show up for families!

05/02/2026

May is Foster Care Awareness Month, a time to recognize the children, families, and foster parents who are part of this important work.

Curious about becoming a foster parent? Learn more at www.lss-sw.org/foster.

05/01/2026

This weekend, youth from our Tucson Refugee Youth Mentorship Program took a trip to the OdySea Aquarium and Butterfly Wonderland in Scottsdale.

They explored the exhibits, got an up-close look at marine life and butterflies, and spent time getting to know each other over lunch at the Boardwalk. We love seeing our youth learn and make memories together!