Closing the Book on a Great Year
More than 9,600 people came to LYDIA last year for hope and help. Thanks to your support, lives were changed forever! A few highlights:
Safe Families continued to expand nationally - we now have active affiliates in 18 U.S. cities and another 19 locations are under development.
LYDIA Urban Academy students are making great strides. In Rockford, for instance, those participating in the educational therapy program improved their reading by an average of 3.2 grade levels and math by an average of 3.3 grade levels.
Despite a tough economy, overall giving to LYDIA in 2010 was up compared to 2009.
More details can be found in LYDIA's 2010 Annual Report, available now. To request a copy, please contact Erica Dorantes, Associate Director of Development, by email or call (773) 653-2249. |
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It's All Good at WHAT'S GOOD |
"I need somebody to look up to."
These words, spoken by a middle school student last fall, gave Shawn Procter inspiration. Shawn had been on staff with LYDIA's WHAT'S GOOD program since 2009, when it was still being funded by a generous government grant. The grant ended in 2010, program director Melody LaLuz Fabien moved on, Shawn filled the position, and WHAT'S GOOD was at a crossroads.
"That boy's father and brother were in gangs, and his situation burdened my heart," says Shawn. "WHAT'S GOOD had always had great results with its in-class character and abstinence education. But with the loss of the grant funding, we needed to dream outside of the box to find ways to reach students more long-term. I chose to continue the in-class education but also collaborate with churches and community organizations to support these at-risk kids and help them develop relationships with people they could look up to."
Shawn's new approach is off to a flying start. READ MORE |
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An Extreme Situation, A Positive Result |
Edward Flowers came to LYDIA's Residential Treatment Center at the age of five, and his anger was out of control. To protect him and those around him, a staff member was assigned to care for Edward one-on-one from 6 a.m. until 2 p.m.; another staffer took over from 2 o'clock until bedtime. During a typical day, Edward might be restrained 15 times.
At the root of Edward's anger was the physical and emotional abuse he received from his mother as a young boy. "The staff at LYDIA taught me how to be more relaxed and find positive outlets for my feelings, and even gave me the gift of laughter," says Edward, who stayed at LYDIA on and off for about 10 years. "They helped me be a better person."
Today, Edward is 21, living in Chicago, looking for work and hoping to make a life for himself. He continues to rely on the support of LYDIA staffers, including Mel Gonzales. "God gave me a special place in my heart for Edward," says Mel. "I am proud of him for the person he has become."
Your financial gifts help LYDIA serve kids like Edward. To give online, click here. Thank you! |
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| Calling all Runners |  |
Run for Chicago Kids: Join Team LYDIA 2011 in the Chicago Half Marathon & 5K
September 11, 2011
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