Spring has finally returned to Oak Park (a little late, but as beautiful as ever), reminding me that it has been nearly a year since I began serving as Hephzibah’s new executive director.
Throughout my first year, many people have asked me about my experiences as a new member of the Hephzibah family. My answer is always the same: I am absolutely inspired!
I am honored to be a part of an organization that, at its very core and in every interaction, is committed to helping children and families dream of a bolder, brighter future—from the abused and neglected children who have found a safe haven in our group homes and the infants flourishing in our Early Head Start program to the foster teens who have found loving homes through our foster care program and the hundreds of elementary school children who are nurtured and enriched in our after-school day care program.
We have been carrying out this life-enhancing work for 120 years—and we continue to carry out this work today because we have a deep passion for helping children grow into strong, resilient, caring members of society.
Let me share a story that clearly demonstrates the transformative power of our mission.
One day, a sweet, fragile, terrified young boy arrived at Hephzibah Home. He had been in and out of several homes and had endured horrific abuse and neglect. When he was transferred to us from a hospital, he was malnourished, severely underdeveloped and nearly nonverbal.
Understandably, he didn’t trust a soul. But, after several months in our Diagnostic Treatment Center—buoyed up by the care and attention of our staff and supported by our compassionate community of donors and volunteers—he blossomed.
When he left us recently to live with his new foster family, he was a very different child: active, outgoing and playful, with a ready smile. This little boy who had been through so much was no longer filled with dread about what might happen to him next. Instead, he was filled with optimism and dreams of a better future. He was also sporting an entirely new wardrobe because he had grown five inches and gained 40 much-needed pounds!
But we can’t continue to transform lives without your help.
Your generous support enables us to provide transformative care for more than 1,000 children every year—care that changes lives and inspires children to dream big dreams.
Won’t you please give today to help us bring a brighter future within reach for every child we serve?
Thank you for partnering with us to help children thrive and families flourish!
With gratitude,
Merry Beth Sheets
Executive Director
P.S.  For as little as the price of a daily cup of coffee, you can make a real difference in the life of a child in need.  Become a Hephzibah Hero by signing up for our monthly giving program.
Give our kids something to smile about: Go to smile.amazon.com and choose Hephzibah Children’s
Association as your charity. Every time you shop, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of your
purchase price to Hephzibah, at no cost to you.
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