Families Are In Crisis
Dear friends of Sheridan House,
Each month you receive an eight page Family Advocate from Sheridan House. The purpose behind this monthly publication is to help your family tackle the challenges of today's culture. I know many of you have used this as a parenting resource and/or have passed it on to friends to offer help. In short, that is exactly why we do it.
As you can see, this issue is different. Different…because times are different for many of you and for Sheridan House. Right now, families are in such great need that we currently find ourselves in red ink. Sheridan House works hard to help literally thousands of families in distress annually and this can be very costly. As we attempt to be a bridge for many single mom households that are facing eviction, in danger of having their power turned off, or facing financial ruin, we find that we ourselves are in need. As we try to find a way to open our fifth children's home to help the boys who are currently waiting to get in, we need your help.
Even as I sit at my computer and write this, Miriam, our Single Parent Ministries Coordinator, asked to meet with me regarding a single mom we know. This mom was laid off some time ago, has diligently searched for employment, and recently found a job; however, she is in need of assistance with one car payment of $276 until she begins receiving her monthly income. Without that car payment, she will lose her car and is concerned about having reliable transportation to get to and from work. She is overjoyed about this new position and excited that she will be able to get back on track financially, but she needs help this month. This is such a great opportunity to make an investment in her life…a great opportunity that requires funding.
Many of you received and responded to our letter sent last month. Thank you for helping us help others. This request is directed to those of you who are still considering how you can help. This month, instead of sending a Family Advocate that indicated "business as usual", we want to make you aware that things are anything but usual.
We have recently gone through a period of employee layoffs and cutbacks on outside contracts. The next step is a cutback in services – a step we are hoping to avoid. This would be a cutback at a time when people are coming to Sheridan House for help in record high numbers.
For those who haven't yet given, I am asking you to take a moment to prayerfully consider giving a donation to help Sheridan House continue to reach out to people in need…in the name of Jesus Christ. If each of you receiving this letter stopped and gave $35, we would be able to get our budget back on track – a budget that has already been cut over 24%.
