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South Suburban Family Shelter thanks community for funding help during state budget crisis

To the SSFS Community,
 
In January, South Suburban Family Shelter sent out a ‘Call to Action’ into our community, because we had just learned that the State of Illinois did not appropriate funds for our largest grant. Unsure what the future held for us, we remained committed to serving the members of this community by addressing all aspects of domestic violence.
 
Our community answered that call and over the past seven months you have embraced us and held us up. From group-organized fundraisers to individual donations, from in-kind gifts to volunteer help, you have made our work possible in a time of uncertainty. We can feel that you have been pulling for us and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
 
Through your support, we have been able to minimize the impact on those who need us. Our emergency shelter served three times as many people as last year and our counselors saw 40 percent more children this year! We maintained nearly 90 percent of the clients that we would typically see in a year.
 
Simply phenomenal.
 
I am reminded of Margaret Mead’s insight: Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.
 
Your commitment has inspired us and I am happy to tell you that we have received some new and increased grant awards heading into this (fiscal) year that will help tremendously in restoring programs. Additionally, your actions on our behalf did not go unnoticed. When the State of Illinois passed a budget on July 6, it included funding for our fiscal year just ended and the year we have just begun. Our Safe from the Start program serving children birth to age 5 exposed to violence saw its funding reinstated after a two-year lapse!
 
We know we are not yet out of the woods, but we see the path that you helped create and are excited for what the remainder of the year will bring. Thank you for joining us on this journey.
 
Jennifer Gabrenya
Executive Director
South Suburban Family Shelter

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