Our Family Services touched the lives of more than 66,000 Southern Arizonans last year -- 9,000 through  direct services such as counseling, housing, case management, mediation and senior services. Our partnership with 2-1-1 Arizona and www.211Arizona.org helped another 57,000 through access to information on resources they need.

None of this would be possible without the support of such a giving community as ours. On behalf of our clients, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to you for helping us make successes like these possible in 2012:

A home of their own: One Transitional Housing resident worked full-time, paid down debts, saved for a down payment and put in many hours of "sweat equity" to buy a Habitat for Humanity home. She and her three children just moved into their home this month. Last year, Our Family helped more than 3,000 homeless children, youth and families on their road to self-suffiency.

Keeping seniors safe: One of our Senior Companion volunteers visits homebound clients in Sells, where houses are miles apart and many elders live in isolation. One client was injured in a household accident and had no way of getting herself to a doctor. Her Senior Companion arrived for her weekly visit the next day, assessed the situation and drove her to the emergency room to have her wound treated. The client is doing well and continues to look forward to visits from the friend who may have saved her life. Last year, Our Family helped more than 1,600 seniors live independently in their homes.

Rebuilding their lives: Two siblings had been removed from their home by Child Protective Services. Before they could be reunited with their mother, our therapist worked with the family to rebuild trust and resolve the issues that led to their traumatic removal. At the completion of services, this family was reunited. Last year, Our Family's counseling services helped nearly 2,000 children, youth and adults.

Making peace: Neighboring households had always been friendly until a new dog's barking began to create tension between them. A series of misunderstandings that followed left the neighbors at odds. Only during a safe and neutral mediation session did both sides have an "aha! moment" and realize they had been making assumptions about each other that weren't true. They left the session with an agreement that suited both of them, and a commitment to renew their friendship. Last year, Our Family's community-based programs helped more than 2,000 people work to make Southern Arizona a better place.

Thank you for helping Our Family make a difference in people's lives. From Our Family to yours, we wish you a safe and happy holiday season and all the best in 2013.