Who We Are
LCFS is the second-largest community-based child welfare agency in Illinois, dedicated to improving the well-being of people across the state by protecting children, strengthening families and building futures for those who have experienced trauma.
Our Mission
To nurture and strengthen children and families in need.
Our Vision
A world where all of God’s children have the opportunity for safe, healthy and
meaningful lives.
As a leading provider of social services in Illinois, LCFS impacts thousands of lives each year through a variety of programs, including foster care, adoption, counseling, preventative services and a youth emergency shelter. Today, LCFS has more than 400 employees at 16 sites across Illinois partnering to provide impactful and values-driven services for the betterment of those we serve. Called to serve all of God’s people, LCFS is a welcoming organization that serves people of all faiths, races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender expressions and gender-identifications.
We expect the LCFS organizational culture to be color cognizant, believing in the importance of racial and ethnic differences because of their profound impact on individuals, groups, communities and society, as well as acknowledging the accompanying widespread racism and discrimination in our broader society. We expect that within the organization there be explicit, productive conversations about the role of race and culture in the work we do, as well as advocacy for addressing the social injustices that result from systemic racism.
These are the core values of LCFS which guide the development of our key policies and practices.
- Our understanding of God and His presence in the world.
- Our Judeo-Christian Heritage
- Equality
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Excellence
- Collaboration
- Responsive Capacity
- Innovation
- Stewardship of Resources
- Accountability
- Transparency
- Inquiry
- Leadership in Social Ministry
- Integrity and Ethics
Learn more about how each of these values guide the work of LCFS.
LCFS traces its roots to 1873 when several Lutheran churches in northern Illinois established the German Evangelical Lutheran Orphan Home in Addison, Illinois. Opening its doors that year to six young children, the orphan home grew quickly and expanded its services over the years eventually merging with other similar agencies. In 1970, the organization officially changed its name to Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois.
For 150 years, LCFS has been guided by our faith-based heritage and commitment to promote mercy, compassion and lasting change. With your partnership, we will continue to strengthen this circle of support for the children and families of Illinois.
To learn more, contact us.