Lutheran Service of Georgia changes name to Inspiritus

ALBANY — Lutheran Services of Georgia, a nonprofit social service agency, has officially changed its name to Inspiritus after joining forces with Lutheran Services in Tennessee.

The agency has an office in Albany at 1120 A-1 W. Broad Ave.

Inspiritus works with thousands of individuals and families each year to provide disability, foster care, family intervention, adoption, refugee and disaster response services. Officials said that, after reflecting on the organization’s work and impact, the board of directors for Inspiritus believes the new name better embodies the essence of the mission to guide individuals and families whose lives have been disrupted on a path from surviving to thriving.

“We had a superb reputation as Lutheran Services of Georgia, but as our services expanded over the years, the name did not adequately reflect what we do. And, it felt limiting as some people believed that you had to be Lutheran to benefit from our various services, which is not the case,” the Rev. John Moeller, Inspiritus’ CEO, said. “The new name Inspiritus derives from the word ‘inspirit,’ which means to fill with courage or strength of purpose. That is precisely what we do at Inspiritus.

“We embolden individuals and families to find their courage, inner strength and resilience so that they can lead a more fulfilling life.”

In 2018, Inspiritus provided foster care services for 197 children and placement of 57 children in permanent homes. More than 1,200 children have been assisted on their road to permanent housing through foster care and adoption services since the organization’s founding in 1981. Thirty adoptions were finalized in 2018.

Officials said the organization assisted with the placement of 98 individuals with intellectual disabilities in homes to improve their physical, social and emotional well-being. It also helped with the support of 432 refugees who resettled in Georgia, providing essential needs for these refugees, such as an apartment, food, health screenings, legal support and school registration for children.

In the last five years, Inspiritus has secured more than 1,665 jobs for refugees. It also provided long-term recovery assistance to 183 people following Hurricane Irma and continues to provide these long-term recovery services this year — including services for those affected by Hurricane Michael, officials said.

Inspiritus officials said it has impacted the lives of more than 100,000 individuals across Georgia and the Southeast. Over the past several years, it has expanded both the scope and geographic reach of its services. In addition to the Albany location, Inspiritus has Georgia offices in Atlanta, Athens, Columbus, Rome and Savannah.

The organization’s new logo includes a dove, meant to symbolize both new beginnings and the Holy Spirit, highlighting the Christian and Lutheran faith that is central to its mission and daily work.

“As we at Inspiritus embrace our new name, our mission and vision remain unchanged,” Moeller said. “We will continue to offer services to help with basic needs, stability and safety, community integration and self-sufficiency. We feel called to do so, and we are excited about both the meaning and power of our new name.”

For more information on the organization, visit https://weinspirit.org.

Jennifer Parks