July 19, 2022

Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota and the Multi-Cultural Center of Sioux Falls are working through a process that could lead to a merger.

After a 60-day exploration process by the leadership of both organizations, they signed a letter of intent that would merge MCC into LSS.

“LSS and the MCC both serve diverse communities of Sioux Falls with complementing services, and leadership from both organizations believe that aligning efforts will result in better outcomes for those they serve,” the organizations said in a statement.

“Removing the duplication of administrative functions creates an operational efficiency and a programming synergy to better respond to client and community needs.”

Both organizations share a similar mission and vision of working toward ensuring all South Dakotans will be healthy, safe and accepted in a community that welcomes those of all backgrounds.

LSS has operated for more than a century, impacting the lives of thousands of people each year through a variety of services, including behavioral health, financial literacy and resources, adoption and pregnancy counseling, foster care, residential services for children, child care, education and mentoring.

Its work through the LSS Center for New Americans has developed “solid relationships with several ethnic communities and provides robust support for many who are settling in our community,” the organization said.

“LSS also brings strong administrative services to provide operational efficiencies, including human resources, information technology, accounting, grant writing, fundraising and executive leadership. This solid administrative support offers long-term functionality and stability to the MCC.”

For 25 years, the Multi-Cultural Center has served various immigrant populations and worked with Native American populations to educate and celebrate cultural diversity within the Sioux Falls community. Its partnerships with the city of Sioux Falls and Minnehaha County and its focus on community engagement offer opportunities for building on the community’s interests around cultural diversity. Events such as the Festival of Cultures will continue to bring people together in education and celebration, the organizations said.

LSS and MCC said they will continue to work through details of the merger, including impacts on services, facilities and personnel. Each board will make decisions regarding the merger by the end of September.