A faith based 501©3 organization, LESM serves to bring dignity, healing, hope and encouragement to all people. LESM seeks to fulfill its mission by providing a wide range of programs and services for at-risk families and children in Mississippi. We offer programs and services in transformative case management; disaster preparedness, relief and recovery; children’s enrichment education; and, restorative justice.
Since August 2005, LESM has been involved in relief and recovery efforts on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Among the first disaster response teams deployed, LESM established within days relief camps on the Mississippi Gulf Coast while initiating evacuee resettlement efforts in Jackson, Mississippi.
The onset and aftermath of Hurricane Katrina changed the organization’s focus and direction. The level of the devastation was so great that full recovery would take years. In response to the tremendous needs, LESM made a long term commitment to the recovery and rebuilding efforts.
Today, LESM manages two recovery camps on the Mississippi Gulf Coast (Camp Victor, Ocean Springs and LESM on the Bay, Bay St. Louis). We have transitioned our relief services to volunteer housing, case management and construction management recovery services. These services are the major focus of our work addressing the needs of those affected by Hurricane Katrina.
To further fulfill its mission, LESM offers programs in Disaster Preparedness and Recovery, Children’s Enrichment Services and Restorative Justice. These programs focus specifically on the needs of at-risk children and families across the state of Mississippi.
At LESM, we proceed in our work using a comprehensive and holistic approach, offering our clients a continuum of services. Our overarching goal is to help transform the lives of those we serve, so that they may become more healthy, hope-filled, secure, empowered, and interdependent.
OUR VALUES
We proceed in our work guided by these values and beliefs.
Equity – All people deserve fairness, justice, and equal opportunity. In our work, we strive to demonstrate human dignity and equity by: respecting all people; and, encouraging people from diverse-social, economic and ethnic backgrounds to work together.
Collaboration - We believe that the most meaningful and sustained changes come when diverse individuals and organizations combine their efforts. In our work, we place priority on working cooperatively with others in order to effectuate and sustain the desired outcomes. People support what they help to create.
Empowerment - Power shared is power multiplied. The most effective solutions are those where people have the greatest stake in the outcomes. We believe in helping those we serve acquire the skills and resources and power needed to develop and realize their own life goals.
Open Communications - Diverse opinions and collective voices are valued. We listen to the ideas and input of clients and stakeholders and use our collective knowledge to respond to the issues at hand.
Transformation - As we serve those who are at-risk in our communities and State, we do so in a manner that honors them and their plans for the future. We work to help families and communities become healthy, hope-filled, secure, empowered and interdependent. Our work is about change.
