Annual Appeal

Dear Friend,
                                
I invite you to invest in futures… the futures of hundreds of children, youth and families in your community.

I invite you to invest in your future:  the children.  Yes, Saint Vincent’s children are your future, and they need you now more than ever.  They need your help so that they can be safe, receive appropriate intervention – whether on our campus or in their own home, and have a supportive and nurturing family, an education and a happy childhood.

Think of James… when he first came to Saint Vincent’s with his curly hair and blue eyes, he was shy and oh so familiar with abuse and neglect, having spent the first ten years of his young life in a very difficult home.  James has been living at Saint Vincent’s for two years; he is now in 6th grade, enjoying being a member of the basketball team, and sharing hope-filled stories with his mother during weekend visits.

Or think of Cheyenne… who for the past 6 months has made great progress under the care and guidance of Saint Vincent’s clinical, nursing and educational staff, knowing that she will be the first in her family to graduate high school and fulfill her dream of going to college.

Your investment will help Saint Vincent’s deliver on our commitment to children like Cheyenne and James… and to deliver on our Commitment to Children and Families:

• To embrace the role of family and, through family-centered practice, build on the unique strengths and resilience of the children and families we serve
• To advocate for social change which strengthens and supports children and families
• To empower children and families to engage in a therapeutic process which results in enhancing primary relationships and the development of new skills and competencies

With a greater focus on strengthening family relationships, well-being, self-sufficiency, skill-building and learning opportunities, Saint Vincent’s works with children, youth and families toward reunification and permanence.
Think of the Cooper Family… who are receiving intensive home-based family therapy services from a Saint Vincent’s licensed clinician, so that Dad and his two sons can rebuild their lives after the traumatic loss of their wife and mother.

Or think of the Taylor Family… a multi-generational family with Mom caring for her elderly mother and great aunt while struggling to meet the needs of her 8 year-old daughter who originally received services through Saint Vincent’s short-term residential treatment program.  Today the Taylor family receives services in their home from a team of Saint Vincent’s staff including an in-home therapist and therapeutic training and support staff who work in tandem with outpatient services.  These efforts have enabled Mom to have a more enriched relationship with her daughter, eliminating the need for the multiple weekly interventions by the mobile crisis team with her daughter.

I urge you to think about the children like Cheyenne and James - and families like the Coopers and Taylors … who so desperately need your help and support.

By sending your generous annual donation of $100, $250, $500 - or more - in the enclosed envelope, you will be investing in their future… and your future.

Please, invest in your future by investing in the futures of children and families.  There's never been a better time.  Thank you.

Sincerely,

John T. Weldon, MSW
Executive Director

P.S.  Your gift is important for the children and families in your community, so please give today!

P.P.S.  Did you know that you can double the value of your gift if you work for a company with a Matching Gift Program?  Ask your Human Resources Department for details.