Lutheran Social Services, Multi-Cultural Center to merge center into LSS by September

Lutheran Social Services and the Multi-Cultural Center of Sioux Falls have agreed to merge the center into LSS.

The news follows a 60-day “exploration process” by the leadership of both organizations, as they both serve diverse communities in Sioux Falls with complementing services.

Rebecca Kiesow-Knudsen, president and CEO of LSS, and Laurie Knutson, interim executive director of the MCC, explained in a press release that they believe aligning efforts will result in better outcomes for those they serve.

“Removing the duplication of administrative functions creates an operational efficiency and a programming synergy to better respond to client and community needs,” according to a joint press release from the organizations.

More: ‘Called to serve': Why these gay, nonbinary, Two Spirit faith leaders stayed to preach in SD

The two organizations share similar mission and vision statements to make sure all South Dakotans are healthy, safe and accepted, and to make Sioux Falls and South Dakota a welcoming community for individuals and families of all backgrounds.

LSS has been in operation for more than 100 years and will continue its services including behavioral health, Center for Financial Resources, adoption and pregnancy counseling, foster care, residential services for children and youth, childcare, education, mentoring and work with the LSS Center for New Americans.

The MCC has been in operation for 25 years and has served various Indigenous and immigrant populations in the community by educating and celebrating cultural diversity in Sioux Falls. Partnerships with the city and county will continue, along with its focus on community engagement, cultural diversity and events like the annual Festival of Cultures.

More: Sioux Falls celebrates cultures from around the world during 25th annual Festival of Cultures

LSS will also bring human resources, information technology, accounting, grant writing, fundraising and executive leadership to the partnership, offering long-term functionality and stability to the MCC.

In the next 90 days, LSS and MCC will continue to work through details of the MCC organization merging into the LSS organization. Details on services, facilities and personnel will be determined through this process. Each board will make decisions regarding the merger by the end of September.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Lutheran Social Services, Multi-Cultural Center to merge MCC into LSS