Out to make a difference, one life at a time

Ruth Henrichs believes nonprofit organizations are the heart and soul of communities.

The president and CEO of Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska joined the not-for-profit organization in 1976 as an adoption and pregnancy counselor and rose through the ranks to become its chief executive in 1984. Along the way she was a therapist and a regional director.

Lutheran Family Services is a 120-year-old organization best known for its adoption services, foster care programs and counseling for parenting. It also has many counseling services for behavioral health issues — including post-traumatic stress disorder — and a variety of community services for refugees, the unemployed and other at-risk groups. Services are provided to persons of all faith backgrounds at 31 offices across the state.

"We serve over 35,000 people every year, and 90 percent of the people we serve are not Lutheran," she said. "I have a passion for excellence and I think we need to keep moving the bar up. One life at a time, I'm going to make a difference. I'm not looking for a big splash. I think we all make a difference one life at a time, and that's important work for me."

Henrichs, 60, was born in Fremont, Neb., and reared on a farm near Scribner, Neb.

"I have wonderful memories of growing up in a small town; Scribner was a great town," she said. "I knew I wanted a career working with people. I enjoyed public speaking and I liked to write. I started out going to Drake University to study English literature. I found my way into sociology and social work courses and that's where I ended up. Those were good decisions for my life.

"I believe very deeply that all people are created in the image of God, so I believe in caring for all people," she said. "At LFS we care for veterans, immigrants, refugees, orphans, children in foster care and people with substance abuse. We care for many different kinds of people. There is tremendous poverty and we're always doing what we can to help people develop self-sufficiency and have that positive sense of well-being."

Three healthy family centers LFS operates focus on young families.

"We believe the earlier we can intervene, the less costly the services and the more likely it is that we can have a positive impact on parenting skills and their planning for self-sufficiency," Henrichs said.

To unwind after her work-related commitments, including many night and weekend speaking engagements, Henrichs enjoys being with her family, reading, watching football and visiting with girlfriends. Once a year she takes a vacation with four women who were among the first females to hold executive positions at Lutheran Services around the country.

"We became close, dear friends, and for the last 15 years we have vacationed together," she said. "It's part of my sanity. All women need girlfriends. The older we get, the clearer that gets."

Contact the writer:

402-444-1052, jane.palmer@owh.com

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