Lifespan Ventures

Why we will no longer be a welcoming church

We’ve decided to quit being a welcoming church. No kidding. We’re giving it up. Like so many congregations, we’ve sunk an amazing amount of time and energy into becoming a welcoming church. We changed worship styles, trained greeters and ushers, wore name tags, brewed coffee, went to workshops on hospitality and put our friendliest people …

10 Ways to Practice Institutional Racism at your Non-profit Organization

I realize that institutional racism may not be your goal or intention. You may not even be aware of the complexities of racism at your organization.

Belleville's Onesie Bar Crawl Back This Weekend

BELLEVILLE, Ill. (KMOX) - They're just your stay-at-home pajamas tonight, but this weekend they'll be your outfit for the 3rd annual Downtown Belleville Onsie Bar Crawl.

What Happens When You Give Away 50 Million Dollars and Move Into a Trailer Park?

Sometimes society is at fault for creating this fear in us. For training us from an early age to be goal-driven instead of value-driven, instead of cooperation-driven. These goals separate us and make us feel competitive.

The Practical Case for Parole for Violent Offenders

This is one way to fix an unsustainable criminal justice system, and make it more humane.

The Quest for Transgender Equality

Being transgender today is still unreasonably hard, but it is far from hopeless. This is the first in a series looking at the challenges ahead.

9 Rainforest Facts Everyone Should Know

Protecting rainforests is a powerful natural climate solution that’s critical to our collective future.

When Social Services Undermine Well-being

The intertwined challenges that many people face might be addressed more effectively together than separately.

Social Services for the Elderly: How Can I Get Help?

Have you considered how you can get help should you need it? There are a range of social services available to you as a senior.

Children's Aid and Family Services Frequently Asked Questions

We've put together a number of our FAQs to help you better find the information you are looking for about Children's Aid and Family Services.

Is Your Medical Practice A Social Service Or A Business?

These are two entirely different goals and if a definitive answer doesn’t immediately pop out of your mouth you’re in trouble.

Pondering A Social Services Career?

So you’re thinking of getting into the field of Social Services? Why? I’ll bet it’s because you want to help people; make a difference. Noble of you really, and we can never have enough good people with good intentions who care and are willing to serve others. ...

Affordable housing with supportive social services may trim hospital costs, study finds

At a time when policymakers are trying to reduce hospital-related costs, a relatively simple adjustment could help dramatically. The proposed solution? Invest more in affordable seniors’ housing that offers supportive social services, according to a Rutgers University study.

Parents who won't let their son wear a skirt may have to be referred to social services, schools...

Parents who refuse to let their son wear a skirt to school may need to be referred to social services, a council’s guidance has advised schools.

Social services experts say opioids have increased the need for foster care

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, opioids have been the main reason for an increased need of foster parents within the last few years.

Social Services: Listen to People Who Have Experienced Poverty

We need the people who administer social services at the state and local levels to do a better job of providing programs and policies that work in people’s lives.

Epworth Children and Family Services

ACOs are struggling to integrate social services with medical care, findings show

Little progress is being made to integrate social services with medical care despite increased attention and effort.

Elderly housing with supportive social services can reduce hospital use, study finds

Investing in affordable housing that offers supportive social services to senior citizens on Medicare has the potential to reduce hospital admissions and the amount of time needing inpatient hospital care by better managing chronic health conditions, according to a Rutgers study.

Teen and Family Services in Memorial provides tools to deal with substance abuse

Teen and Family Services is a peer based recovery support program that focuses on helping the whole family through substance abuse problems in a holistic way.