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Emily Bright and Gracie Stockton

Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota continues growing despite federal turmoil

A building
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota announced Tuesday the public launch of Empower What’s Possible, a five-year, $100 million comprehensive campaign to expand and innovate LSS’ service offerings to meet the current and emerging needs of Minnesotans.
Rebecca Slater, courtesy of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota

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Lutheran Social Service, one of the largest nonprofit organizations in Minnesota, is building a new center in St. Paul’s Rondo neighborhood.

The organization, which is active in every county in the state, connects people with social services, such as securing stable housing for individuals and helping refugees find employment.

Alexis Oberdorfer, the organization’s senior vice president of services, joined MPR News host Emily Bright on Morning Edition to share more about serving Minnesotans in uncertain times.

Despite criticism of religious groups receiving federal funding by Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency, Oberdorfer said LSS has chosen to remain steadfast in providing for Minnesotans. “And we've done that throughout two world wars, a Great Depression, 34 recessions and over 20 world pandemics,” she said.

LSS has historically been one of just a handful of large groups taking on refugee resettlement in the state. After executive orders from the Trump administration in January banned that resettlement, the group has had to pivot while continuing to support recent arrivals.

A building
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota has begun construction on the LSS Center for Changing Lives - Frogtown-Rondo, a $7.5 million project to renovate the existing building on University and Grotto avenues in St. Paul.
Rebecca Slater, courtesy of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota

“[It’s] really important to help connect people to employment services and things that they can do to be self-sufficient in the long haul,” Oberdorfer said.

Listen to the full conversation by clicking the player button above.

Correction (Oct. 16, 2025): An earlier version of this story misspelled the name of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota.