An Accidental Career

“What was really special about Lutherwood from the very beginning was that it was designed to reflect God’s love that a group of people had to change lives,” said Reverend Dieter Kays.

After graduating with a Masters of Social Work Degree in 1974, a 27-year-old Pastor Kays received his first job, as the Supervisor of the Day Treatment Program at Lutherwood. His plan was to get two to three years’ experience in counselling, then take his new skills and knowledge to a Lutheran parish.

However, like many other employees discover, Lutherwood is a hard place to leave.

“We had a very special culture where the staff cared about one another, and that was reflected in how they cared about others,” Dieter reflected. “These people all wanted to see what they could do for children and adults who had many times been crushed by events in life that were largely beyond their control. They would use teamwork and a strong commitment to help them put their lives back together again.”

So, when he discovered that Lutherwood’s first Executive Director, Reverend Theodore Meibohm was retiring in 1977, Dieter applied, got the job, and his short plan of two to three years at the organization soon turned into 30.

When Dieter began his term as Executive Director, he had an annual budget of $600,000 and he oversaw a staff of 29 people who cared for 34 youth. When he handed in his resignation in January of 2004, Lutherwood’s annual budget had grown to roughly $20 million, with a staff of around 500 who helped 10,000 people of all ages per year.

This growth included the beginnings of Employment and Housing Services, a merge with CODA in 1998, and construction of Luther Village on the Park, and later the Sunshine Centre.

“It was just a real privilege and honour to be part of such a dynamic organization,” said Dieter. “We were never satisfied with the status quo. We were always looking for ways to make the organization stronger so that it could have an ever-increasing influence on the lives of people and the life of this community.”

Dieter began his role as President of the Lutheran Life Insurance Company of Canada in April of 2004 and was replaced by John Colangeli, who remains Lutherwood’s CEO to this day.

“As hard as it was for me to see the organization moving into the future without me, I knew it was the right time to go. Lutherwood was ready. I was ready. I knew it would never get easier to let go, it would only get harder, and I wanted to leave before I hit a point of no longer adding real value. Even though I was no longer formally part of the organization, the staff and clients we serve will always occupy a special place in my heart and in my prayers.”