Our Mission
The mission of Lutheran Service Corps is to expand peace with justice in greater Omaha by developing an intentional community of volunteers.
Our History
In the Fall of 1989 a group of people began meeting to discuss the development of a “Servant House” in Omaha. A steering committee was formed to plan this urban ministry. The first goals were to develop a vision and share the dream with others to see if there was support for the idea of a “Servant House.” After conversing with pastors, the Bishop, the Synod Council and conference committees it was decided that there was enough positive support to proceed.
In September of 1991 the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church rent their former convent at 6220 N. 30th St. to LSC to house volunteers. Massive remodeling of the house began in 1992 in time for the first LSC volunteer to start later that year. Volunteers have been serving in Omaha ever since.
In November 1994 LSC received a very generous gift from Alice Hillstrom (pictured) to purchase the house from the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Because of her gift, LSC owns the house that volunteers live in when they come to Omaha. Since LSC’s start in, nearly two hundred volunteers have called “Hillstrom House” their home.
During the early 2000’s, recruiting numbers dropped and finding volunteers became quite difficult. LSC entered a partnership with Lutheran Volunteer Corps (LVC) in October of 2008 whereby LVC would do the recruiting and program work, and LSC would support the volunteers and the program in Omaha itself. This partnership increased the number of volunteers each year for over a decade. Then, recruiting numbers began to drop again for all service corps across the country, resulting in two years of just two volunteers. As a result, LSC and LVC mutually agreed to separate in 2022 with LSC now focused entirely on rebuilding the program in Omaha.
About Hillstrom House
Hillstrom House was once the Blessed Sacrament Convent residing in North Omaha that was rented by, and then purchased by, Lutheran Service Corps. Lutheran Service Corps was able to purchase the building with a donation by Alice Hillstrom, for whom the house is named. The house has eleven bedrooms, three bathrooms, two kitchens, a rec room, a library, laundry facilities and even a chapel area! Each volunteer will have their own bedroom on either the main floor or the second floor of the house. A community garden is connected to the house that is managed by Trinity Lutheran Church (one of our neighbors) The shared parking lot with the Nelson Mandela Elementary School allows for ample parking. There is a bus stop just across the parking lot which allows quick access to downtown and other places in Omaha. In the last three years there have been extensive additions to the house, including new furnaces/AC units, new flooring on the main floor, and windows on both levels.
Our Board and Staff
LSC Board Members:
Felecia L. Jones – President
Rebecca Marz – Vice President
Lukas Petersen – Treasurer
Amanda Myroniuk – Secretary
Nancy Johnson
Jim Spanjers
Courtney Wilder
Scott Glaser – Executive Director