Annual Fund

"I didn't know what I was going to do this season. I am thankful for all the wonderful gifts you gave me. I am not with my family and didn't think anyone would remember me. Now I don't feel alone anymore."

December 2006

Dear Friends,

That Christmas thank you was the beginning of Alex's* road to recovery - a sign that he was capable of recognizing his need for help. He had suffered a lot of abuse and neglect early in life, and had been in residential treatment programs since the age of six.

Alex came to the Cleveland Christian Home when he was fourteen, and at that point was severely undersocialized. He spent the better part of his first year with us on his unit, not wanting to be with other young people his age. Even in our school, Alex put himself in timeout most days, not attending classes for fear of "not being able to handle it" and for fear of failing.

By his first summer with us, Alex began to feel more secure and had progressed to the point where the staff felt he would be able to "handle" the boys' annual camping weekend. Despite his concerns, Alex decided, reluctantly, to go. On the second day, he took the challenge to try the ropes course - an area of the camp that involves different activities to promote team-building, risk-taking, and, most importantly, trust in himself and others. As Alex completed each physical challenge, whether climbing, walking on a rope bridge, or helping fellow residents through the course, the staff noted his self-confidence was growing! At the end of the day, this young man had overcome the biggest challenge of all - fear - and realized that he was a smart, capable human being who could be a trusted friend to those around him.

In September of this year, Alex went back to his classes. He hasn't missed a single day of school since, and is doing very well in all his subjects. He has become outgoing, and has been able to make friends as well. A social worker who knew Alex from another residential treatment facility commented to one of our staff that the Cleveland Christian Home was the first organization that had been willing to keep Alex for as long as it took to help him make that break-through.

So it is for Alex and others like him that I ask for your continued support this Christmas.

It broke my heart to think that he had felt alone at any time in his life - especially during the Christmas season, and I'm so proud of our staff and of Alex for working to turn his life around.

I ask that you help us continue our work to give others that same chance.

You can provide more than a joyous Christmas to those in need; you can, with your holiday gift, help us to provide a safe haven and a place to heal, year `round, for those in the care of the Cleveland Christian Home. Every donation makes a difference!

Over 550 individuals and families have been blessed by your support this past year: youngsters struggling with mental illness, abuse and neglect; families who would have broken apart if not for our counseling services; kids who found foster or adoptive families to care for them; and young people who are learning to live on their own, care for their own children, and set goals for their future. Thank you for being there for all of them!

Have a wonderful Holiday Season,

David J. Lundeen

Chief Executive Officer

* Alex's name has been changed to protect his identity.