How Your Giving Helps
It has become a real but overused truism that these difficult times are even harder on children and families in need. Even those whose lives were on the road to greater security and emotional wellness before this critical downturn began are losing their grip in greater numbers. A layoff, shrinking assistance, and a family can spiral downward quickly.
For those of us at The Child Center, who intercede when families are most vulnerable--who teach, counsel and help sustain low-income, at-risk children and their parents--these economic times have created a critical level of need. We observe escalating numbers of children applying for progams, parents needing additional therapeutic support and coping skills, increased drug and substance abuse intervention and more requests for after-school so parents can take on or look for additional work. Against this backdrop, we are experiencing cutbacks from all sides--from government, corporate and private donors. This coming year, we anticipate a decrease in government funding of 10%.
There has been so much focus on imprudent investments within our financial markets, but during this challenging time we cannot overlook the most important investment of all--a secure future for our city's children. It's an investment that has assured short-term benefits--for children and their famlies--and long term benefits--for the entire community. With a more productive society there is less strain on public assistance; children who become academic achievers and emotionally whole are able to live good, fruitful lives and give back to society; parents who can be supportive caregivers create children who can thrive. It benefits us all.
It may seem counterintuitive to give when money is so tight. But the needs of those who have so much less becomes acute during hard times and, we hope, so will our shared sense of responsibility.
We hope you can join us in any way you can.
- Learn about how our programs and services
help children and famlies
- Read about our our programs and services
from clients' and staff's point of view
| Each dollar you give goes directly to help children at risk in New York. | |