WELCOME

Congratulations on your decision to explore adoption as a way to build your family.  Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin (LSS) and Upper Michigan believes every adoption is a small miracle that transforms loss into love.  Adoption gives to everybody it touches – a child receives a home and the love of a family, and the adoptive family is blessed with one of life’s most rewarding experiences, the opportunity to love and parent a child.  We welcome you to the threshold of your family’s miracle.
   
As the largest not-for-profit licensed child-placing agency in the State of Wisconsin, LSS has been finding forever families for children of all ages, faiths and backgrounds for more than 60 years.  Over that time, adoptive homes have been found for well over 100,000 children.
 

HISTORY

Our roots trace back to the 1880’s when Pastor E.J. Homme opened a home for orphaned children in central Wisconsin.  Services to families, children and those in need have continued to be the mission of LSS through the years.  LSS’ domestic adoption program grew out of these beginnings and now supports over 350 birth parents each year that are seeking to make a parenting plan for their child.  Our domestic program also assists adoptive families in their efforts to build their family through adoption. 
 
In the 1960’s, LSS developed international welfare relationships in different regions of the world, including Russia, Mongolia and the Philippines. These relations remain strong today.  LSS also works in conjunction with other placing agencies in China, India, Vietnam, Romania and Guatemala to find parents within the United States for children without permanent families in their native country. 

OUR MISSION

“Motivated by the compassion of Christ, we promote security for children.”

The primary focus of the LSS adoption program is finding stable, loving homes for children from the United States and many other countries.  Each year, through its network of eight adoption offices throughout Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, LSS helps over 800 children find permanent homes and families.
    
Lutheran Social Services also provides financial assistance to child welfare programs in other countries as well as advocates for legislation and policies that benefit children.