LCC Cares Ministry recently received a request to send a Care Team to support the staff and residents of Transformation Village in Asheville, North Carolina. Last year, the state was severely impacted by Hurricane Helene, prompting Lutheran Church Charities to deploy Lutheran Early Response Teams (LERT), Care Teams, and K-9 Comfort Dog teams to walk alongside communities during a time of crisis. During that deployment, team members spent time with residents at Transformation Village, a transitional living community serving unhoused women and children.

Today, the staff and residents continue to navigate the long-term effects of flooding, challenging life circumstances that have led to homelessness, and the grief surrounding the loss of a former resident. Over the weekend, an LCC Care Team returned to be present with them, as well as with the staff and residents of Safe Haven, the on-campus emergency shelter that serves as a pathway into Transformation Village.

The Care Team included Parish Nurse Heidi Thin (Faith Lutheran Church – Sussex, WI), Dawn Werner (Holy Cross Lutheran Church – Collinsville, IL), Sue Beck (Hearts of Mercy & Compassion team member from Brookfield Lutheran Church – Brookfield, WI), and Jessica Ganzen (Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministry Coordinator for the HMC Team at Faith Lutheran Church in Appleton, WI).

Through the use of Spiritual First Aid, the team created safe and compassionate spaces where staff and residents could share their stories, process their experiences, and receive caring support, prayer, and scripture to offer encouragement as they continue their journey toward healing. Three Hearts of Mercy & Compassion were presented during the visit: the first heart was given to Transformation Village, the second heart was given to Wendy, a staff member who is grieving the recent loss of her mother, and the third heart was given to the staff at Safe Haven, the on-campus emergency shelter for Transformation Village.
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Reflecting on the visit, Jessica said, “God sure is on the move in this place.” Sue Beck, an HMC team member from Brookfield Lutheran Church in Wisconsin, also shared how grateful she was to serve and how blessed she was by the experience.

Just days before Christmas, an apartment fire in Milwaukee displaced dozens of families—many with young children—leaving them without homes, possessions, or the ability to provide even the simplest comforts.

Because Lutheran Church Charities had resources ready before the crisis, we were able to respond immediately.

An LCC Care Team from St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Grafton, Wisconsin, served at a Multi-Agency Resource Center coordinated by the Red Cross. The team—Mark Brueggemann (LCC Crisis/Disaster Response Coordinator for the South Wisconsin District), Beverly Brueggeman, and Dave Koopman—came ready to listen, to care, and to act.

They distributed prayer shawls, hygiene kits, quilts, devotionals, and gift cards. But just as importantly, they paused with each family. They listened to stories of loss. They acknowledged fear and exhaustion. They offered presence.

Many of the families were struggling to imagine how they would care for their children—especially with Christmas just days away.

In the middle of that uncertainty, small moments of hope emerged.

Dave spent time with a young non-verbal child who had spilled crayons across the floor, gently engaging him with conversation and fist bumps until a shy smile appeared. A young couple rushing back to work received supplies, a devotional, and a gift card. Overwhelmed, the man broke down in gratitude and said through tears, “We can’t believe this. This will help so much,” as he received a compassion-filled hug.

Some families were unable to attend the resource center at all. Because funds were available, the team partnered with the Salvation Army to personally deliver essential items—making sure no family was missed.

These moments mattered. Not because they erased the loss—but because they brought stability, dignity, and care when families needed it most.

Why the Emergency Family Fund MattersNone of this happens by accident.

The Emergency Family Fund exists so LCC can move quickly, without delay, when families are in crisis. It allows us to provide immediate assistance—gift cards, basic needs, transportation, follow-up care—before red tape slows the response.

When emergencies happen near holidays, the need feels even heavier. Children are watching. Parents are desperate to hold things together. The window to help is small.

Because donors had already given, we were ready.
That readiness turned chaos into compassion.
Loss into presence.
Fear into moments of peace.

As We Begin a New Year
Emergencies don’t wait for the “right” moment. Fires, floods, violence, and sudden loss will come again. The question is whether we will be ready.

Your gift to the LCC Emergency Family Fund ensures that when the next family faces crisis—tomorrow, next week, or next Christmas—we can respond immediately with care, dignity, and the love of Christ.
Together, we can continue bringing good deeds when they matter most.

Thank you for your prayers, your generosity, and your partnership in caring for families in their most vulnerable moments.