Lutheran Community Services Northwest partners with individuals, families and communities for health, justice and hope.

The origin of our Lutheran Community Services Northwest predates the Great Depression to 1921 with the founding of the Lutheran Compass Mission in Tacoma. The mission served “down-and-out” individuals and families in the community. In 1926, caring Lutherans in Portland organized a similar outreach effort known as the Lutheran Welfare Society. As human suffering escalated during the 1930s, Northwest Lutherans increased their efforts to provide clothing, bedding, food and shelter to the homeless.

In the 1940s, we resettled refugees from Eastern Europe and started offering adoption services. Our Spokane office opened in 1956 and the Tri-Cities office opened in 1964 as our work focused on mental health and marriage and family counseling. In the 1970s and 80s, we expanded services for refugees and unaccompanied minors, senior services grew in Tacoma, and the Rape Crisis Center opened in Spokane.

In 2001, Lutheran Social Services of Washington and Idaho joined with Lutheran Family Service of Oregon and SW Washington to form Lutheran Community Services Northwest.

Just recently, we moved a portion of our offices into the Vancouver First United Methodist Church.