Bringing together the skills and knowledge of many individuals broadens perspective and improves decision making. Collaboration fosters an atmosphere of trust and cooperation while enriching the workplace and the LSC organization.
Who We Are
Finding New Ways To Help More People
Lutheran Services Carolinas (LSC) is the result of a 2011 affiliation between two social ministry organizations, Lutheran Services for the Aging (LSA) and Lutheran Family Services of the Carolinas (LFS). Before these two organizations joined forces, LSA offered services for seniors, including retirement living, nursing care, assisted living, and adult day services, while LFS provided family services, including foster care, residential services for adults, disaster response services, refugee resettlement, veterans’ services, and adoption.
Today, as Lutheran Services Carolinas (LSC), they continue to serve these groups with an expanded catalog of services. In addition, LSC has added programs that benefit other segments of the population that are often underserved. These services include the following:
- Disaster response
- A New Americans Program for those forced to flee their home country
- Residential services for adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities or brain injuries
- Transitional housing
A Rich History Of Serving Others
Click the arrows to scroll through our history.
Our Vision
The vision of Lutheran Services Carolinas is to fulfill the proclamation of Christ in John 10:10,
“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
Our Mission
Empowered by Christ, we walk together with all we serve.
Core Values
In 2012, LSC employees identified six core values or principles that define the culture and the character of the
organization and are fundamental in fulfilling the LSC mission. In 2021, LSC added a seventh value: Justice.
Compassion is at the foundation of the LSC ministry. To be compassionate is to recognize the hurt or unhappiness of another and act to change it. LSC employees work in a compassionate manner to improve the lives of all they serve.
Any job worth doing is worth doing well. LSC employees strive for excellence and encourage it in others. Employees seek out opportunities for personal growth and development and encourage others to do so as well.
Many employees choose to work at LSC because the desire to serve is intrinsic to their faith; they feel called to love and to serve. LSC employees strive to be content and joyful in their work and to create an atmosphere of support and forgiveness.
LSC employees work responsibly, honestly, and in a transparent manner. There is an expectation of honesty at all levels of the organization. LSC promotes a just culture, where employees feel comfortable voicing concerns, seeking help, or admitting failures.
God calls us to “Do Justice,” to be in a right relationship with God and with each other. Every person should live free of bias, favoritism, and discrimination. The people of LSC will work to create a just culture throughout the organization and in all the communities we serve.
LSC strives to create a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone is treated with dignity, and differences are accepted and enjoyed. LSC employees embrace the gifts of all and recognize the worth of each person.
The LSC Way
Highest Standard
The LSC Way is a customer service program created by and for the teammates of Lutheran Services Carolinas. The LSC Way aligns the mission, vision, and values of LSC and puts them into real-world practice as we serve our communities.
The LSC Way emphasizes that we truly walk together with all we serve by observing the following principles:
- Lead By Example
- Serve Joyfully
- Communicate Consistently
- Welcome All
- Abundant Living
- You are the key
The LSC Way is our North Star in terms of how we treat our clients and each other each and every day.
LSC Voices Magazine
Our quarterly magazine focuses on the stories of the people and the programs of Lutheran Services Carolinas; from our senior living communities to our child & family programs. View the latest issues on our News & Resources page or sign up to receive the magazine in your mailbox!
Where We Serve
To ensure we are walking alongside as many people as possible, LSC has a healthy presence throughout North and South Carolina. If you are interested in one or more of the services we provide, please contact the LSC location nearest you.
North and South Carolina
On-site health services and enrichment for older adults during the day.
Personal care and support services that allow older adults to stay comfortably in their own homes.
Independent living apartments, cottages, and assisted living residences.
Rehabilitation, skilled nursing care, and specialized memory care.
Refugee resettlement
Assertive Community Treatment Team. Mental health services in Orange, Person, or Chatham Counties.
Adult residential service.
Adult residential service.
Traumatic brain injury residential service.
Assisted living and specialized memory care.
Skilled nursing care and rehabilitation.
Rental model independent living apartments for those 62 and older.
Adult residential service.
Rehabilitation and skilled nursing care.
Adult residential service.
Affordable housing for those 62 and older or 55 and older if disabled.
Skilled nursing care and rehabilitation.
Rehabilitation, skilled nursing, assisted living, and specialized memory care.
Independent and assisted living rental apartments.
Refugee resettlement & Transitional Living for Young Adults
Child and family services, refugee resettlement.
Child & Family Services.
Collegiate recovery home
Rehabilitation, skilled nursing care, and specialized memory care.
Intensive Alternative Family Treatment (IAFT), foster care, and therapeutic foster care.
Rehabilitation, skilled nursing care, and specialized memory care.
Independent living on Wilmington’s Intracoastal Waterway, complete in 2021.
Child and family services, refugee resettlement.
Refugee resettlement.
Refugee resettlement.
Rehabilitation, skilled nursing care, and assisted living.
An abstinence-base recovery program for women.
Our Team
Lutheran Services
In America
Lutheran Services Carolinas is a member agency of Lutheran Services in America (LSA). Lutheran Services in America is a network of over 300 health and human services organizations that touches the lives of more than six million people annually through the work of Lutheran social ministry by serving communities and transforming lives.
The Council on Accreditation (COA) partners with human service organizations worldwide to improve service delivery outcomes by developing, applying, and promoting accreditation standards. COA envisions excellence in the delivery of human services globally, resulting in the well-being of individuals, families, and communities.
Over 1500 organizations serving more than 7 million persons are currently either COA-accredited or engaged in the accreditation process. COA has the volunteer commitment of more than 1000 team leaders and peer reviewers. It is governed by a board of 34 trustees representing a wide variety of interests and perspectives.
Visit WebsiteCollaborations & Partnerships
Lutheran Services Carolinas entered into a partnership in 2013 with Carolina Therapy Services to establish Trinity Rehab, a for-profit organization. Because half of Trinity Rehab is owned by LSC affiliate LSA Therapy, half of its profits are available to further the mission of LSC. Trinity Rehab provides speech, occupational, and physical therapy services to LSC senior services operations. The partnership gives LSC a more active role in the provision of those services.
Serving Cup, in Raleigh, NC, offers support to adults with disabilities including many LSC clients. One popular Serving Cup project is its Coffeehouse ministry, which offers adults with disabilities and their caregivers a place to enjoy entertainment and special events while connecting to local resources. The Serving Cup ministry was also key in the establishment of LSC’s Green Level Apartments, and Whittecar House, and has most recently partnered with LSC and Habitat for Humanity of Wake County on the Building Independence project, which serves adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Wake County, allowing them to live as independently as possible. For more about Serving Cup, click here.
Located in Cary, NC, SearStone defines itself as a “New Urbanist” community designed for those age 62 and “better.” The SearStone community continues to grow. As a SearStone sponsor, LSC partners with SearStone in directing a portion of the proceeds from this not-for-profit venture to benefit eldercare programs in the Triangle area.
For many years, the state of North Carolina has worked toward creating alternative housing options that could offer a home environment for every child. Rapid Resource for Families is a nonprofit organization created by Alexander Youth Network, Barium Springs Home for Children, Easter Seals UCP, and Lutheran Services Carolinas to help children transition from group homes to therapeutic foster care.
Located in Charlotte, NC.
Located in Greensboro, NC
Located in Gastonia, NC; opened in January 2014.
Learn more by calling 704-874-0603 or by visiting Senior TLC on Facebook.
PACE is a Medicare program and Medicaid option for North Carolinians age 55 and over who are in need of skilled nursing care but wish to receive that care in their own homes. Lutheran Services Carolinas now collaborates in four North Carolina PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) initiatives:
PACE@Home
Located in Newton, NC
Perched on a hill at the edge of Lenoir-Rhyne University and next to St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Hickory, NC, sits Lutherhaus, a small apartment complex that has been serving low-income seniors and people with disabilities since 1981. Updated in 2008, the 50 pet-friendly 600-square-foot apartments feature walk-in closets, balconies, and safety-call systems. Call (828) 327-0393 to learn more.
The Lutheran Support Group of Gaston provides ongoing support for LSC in Gaston County, including support for Mountain Ridge, a group home for adults with developmental disabilities in Gastonia. This coalition of 15 Lutheran Churches helps with maintenance and upkeep of the home and offers hospitality to residents through their congregations.
Since its inception in 1939, Global Refuge has helped over 379,000 refugees build new lives in the United States largely due to its nationwide network of local resettlement partners like Lutheran Services Carolinas. Together with churches and community volunteers, refugees are receiving the support they need to find welcome and success in American communities.
LSC is the lead agency for Lutheran Disaster Response in North and South Carolina. LSC facilitates disaster preparedness and response services to congregations, families, and individuals through a two-state collaborative called Lutheran Disaster Coalition of the Carolinas (LDCC).