Dear Friend,

You’re feeling well, we hope. This global COVID-19 pandemic is making the world a very scary place. That’s why I’m writing to you today.

You might not know it, but the Coronavirus is threatening to rob The Children’s Center of millions of dollars in the next six months. It’s jeopardizing our annual AutoGlow gala in June. And may even impact our annual Power of Possibilities Breakfast in the Fall. Because of you and other loyal friends, these two events together have raised more than $1,000,000 each year, for more than a decade. Millions more are at risk in Medicaid reimbursements for desperately needed mental health services.

To tell you the truth, our focus isn’t just on losing millions of dollars. Not at all, because it’s not about the money. It’s about thousands of children and families losing access to life-changing treatment and much-needed services.

What keeps me awake at night is if The Children’s Center is no longer able to care for our children in the community, who will? What will become of them? Who will help them heal and become the amazing people they were born to be?

You see, for thousands of children and families served each year, we’re a place that stands for family, for healing, and for hope. A place where every child deserves the chance to dream again. To be accepted and not judged. And to be welcomed with wide-open arms. A place that strives to celebrate life. Not just fix life’s problems.

Like you, we refuse to abandon our children and families. But we can’t do it alone. We need your help. 

We care deeply about our children and families. And we know you do too — hardworking families who are struggling right now with unimaginable difficulties. We’re worried about children who are being further traumatized by a viral enemy they can’t see, let alone understand. An enemy that keeps them from going to school to learn. Playing with friends. Sitting on grandma’s lap. Being a kid. An enemy that can prevent them from healing their trauma caused by the pain of mental and physical abuse. The scars of poverty. The burden of neglect.

You understand we cannot sit idly by and let our children suffer because they can no longer access desperately needed therapeutic services. Your compassionate support is needed now more than ever before. Please give as generously as you can.

COVID-19 is an enemy that’s keeping our children from receiving life-changing treatment. We’re working around the clock as I write this letter to you to find new ways to continue treating our children and families, but we’re not there yet.

Here’s the challenge: We can no longer serve children and families the same way we did before. We can’t sit down with each child in-person, face-to-face. We can’t hold their hand when they’re in pain. Or give them a high-five when they make progress. And, if that isn’t enough, the loss in Medicaid reimbursements is yet another devastating financial setback on top of an annihilating blow caused by COVID-19. We can’t sustain these compounding losses much longer.

You can help our children and families today by investing in new and innovative trauma-informed treatment modalities. Methods and techniques we need to empower our now remote-workforce of clinicians, case managers, and psychiatrists to create new pathways to help our children heal, grow, and thrive. 

Your continued support will accelerate the healing journey of our children and families. And help The Children’s Center continue to rebuild hope for children who struggle with unimaginable difficulties. To be a place that provides a healthy safe haven for them to overcome their challenges and grow into strong, healthy, productive adults.

You are needed now more than ever. Please give your most generous gift possible.

For the children,

Debora Matthews
President & CEO

P.S. You can help children survive COVID-19, even if they’re never diagnosed with it. Please stay safe.

P.P.S. Your generous and loyal support means our children will have a chance to heal and become the amazing people they were born to be. Please give.

Your gift today will help our children continue to heal, grow, and thrive. Please give now.