Services

"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me…" Matthew 25:35

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.

Helping clients with many needs through case management, LSS operates 40 specialized programs. Supporting many causes they range from:

• Support for the aging and disabled
• Resources for veterans
• Transitional and permanent affordable housing
• Job training and financial literacy
• Mental health services
• Family services of all types
• Disaster preparedness and emergency response
• and many others

LSSSC respect each individuals experiences as being uniquely their own. Our number one goal is to equip them with tools and access to resources. We provide help for their family at different points along the continuum of care. This empowers them to move toward independence and find encouragement.

Within the context of more intentional case management, LSS operates over 50 specialized programs, offering resources to people in need. These programs range from aging and disabled supportive services, resources for veterans, transitional and permanent affordable housing, job training and financial literacy, behavioral health services, youth mentoring and academic success, refugee and immigrant services, family services of all types, disaster preparedness and response, and many others.

Each individual experiences their own unique combination of challenges. We attempt to equip them with tools and access to networks of resources to provide help for their family at different points along the continuum of care, enabling them to move toward independence and find encouragement.

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

Locations: San Bernardino, Long Beach, Riverside County, San Diego.

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

Locations: San Bernardino, Long Beach.

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. 

Locations: San Bernardino

Temporary Shelter

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

Locations: Orange County, San Bernardino,  Ventura County.

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

Locations: Orange County, Ventura County

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

Locations: San Bernardino

Transportation

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

Locations: Orange County, San Bernardino, Ventura County

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 

Locations: San Bernardino

Supportive Services

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

Locations: Orange County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County

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

Locations: San Bernardino County – Barstow

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

Locations: San Bernardino County, Central City Lutheran Mission, Ventura County

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

Locations: Orange County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, Ventura County