Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains

Background Statement

Helping the most vulnerable has been Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains history since it was founded in 1948. Starting as an agency to provide adoptive placement for unwanted children, over time programs were added and adapted to meet new and increasing community needs. In the 1960's, LFSRM began serving the aging population, and in the 1970's, programs were added to provide international adoptions and services to refugees. In the late 90's and early 2000's LFSRM began formally responding to natural and human-caused disasters. Since 2000, LFSRM has added: an an infant adoption awareness program for healthcare providers; an employment training center for refugees, older adult guardianship, trauma informed foster care and more. In 2005 LFSRM was accredited to provide basic legal immigration services. LFSRM is one of the largest private foster care providers in the state and one of the largest refugee resettlement agencies in the Rocky Mountain region.

With offices in Albuquerque, Billings, Colorado Springs, Denver, Fort Collins, Greeley, Las Cruces, and Salt Lake City, LFSRM responds to critical social and emotional needs of more than 30,000 people annually. The issues encountered daily by LFSRM staff and volunteers include unintended pregnancy, family violence, child abuse and neglect, the impact of natural disasters, older adult isolation, and the plight of refugees and documented immigrants. LFSRM develops and provides programs that not only respond to such issues, but helps to strengthen communities.