As we enter Thanksgiving week, we at Sunny Hills Services have a lot to be thankful for. Each of our programs and services continues to help the most vulnerable children and families in California, and we continue to receive tremendous support from all of the communities we are part of. In a particular way, I am thankful this year for Bay Area Youth Centers, or BAYC. BAYC became part of the Sunny Hills Services family of programs when the two agencies merged in 2008, and our programs there continue to expand and grow.
For over thirty years, BAYC has helped thousands of emotionally traumatized young people heal and grow. BAYC was started by people who believe that all young people deserve the opportunity to reach their full potential. That core belief continues to define each of their programs, and is in line with Sunny Hills’ historic mission to help youth in the transitional age range as hey prepare to transition into independence. The programs at BAYC help ensure that young adolescents who are ‘aging out’ of foster care continue to have a roof over their heads, food to eat, and people to turn to when they are in crisis. Their services keep these young people from homelessness, something we especially appreciate at this time of year. For more information on how BAYC is helping, visit them online.
This is also the time of year when we especially encourage people to pledge to the Sunny Hills annual appeal. Your pledge helps guarantee that programs like BAYC continue to grow, and are able to help children and young adults throughout the holiday season and all year long. I know that they will be especially thankful for your support this week! Another way to support our programs and services is through purchase of a Bounty of Marin gift basket, which makes a great gift or hostess item as you start making the holiday rounds at Thanksgiving.
We are always deeply appreciative of your support. As we approach the week where it is traditional to express that appreciation, I offer an especially strong thank you to each of you, for being part of our family of supporters.
Note: BAYC’s Executive Director Josh Leonard was part of an expert panel at this week’s conference on Transitional Age Youth in California. He discussed “Sex, Drugs, & Rock’n’Roll: Addressing Third Rail Issues in Housing” – issues about how programs for transitional age youth must deal with behaviours including sexuality and substance use, which are often developmentally appropriate but still difficult to address.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
A Pledge of Support
The Sunny Hills Services Annual Appeal was sent out this week, and we are very excited to announce that our Board of Directors has pledged $50,000 in support to initiate this year’s fund! This extremely generous commitment by the board is a great kick-off to our campaign, and we hope it will inspire each member of the Sunny Hills community to make their own pledge of support for the vulnerable children we serve every day.
As we come to the end of the calendar year, we face a time when our need for private financial support at the agency is especially great. Long-standing programs like the Marin Academic Center need your help, as do new projects such as the parenting teen program and LGBTQ initiatives at BAYC. Our brand new programs, like Project PRIDE in Sonoma County, cannot get off the ground without private dollars to help them through their initial start up. And every day, we need your support to provide the treatment, the education, the emergency assistance, the advice, the medical care, the support, the person to talk to – whatever help it is that the young people in our programs need. That is our ongoing pledge of support to the vulnerable children and families that we serve, and we are able to keep that pledge with your help.
Our goal for the Annual Appeal this year is to raise $150,000 in gifts and pledges. This is an ambitious goal, especially in the face of the current economic situation, but we are expecting to reach it through small efforts from a large group of supporters. If each member of our donor community is able to make a pledge and commit to giving just $50.00 this year, we would have our most successful appeal on record! I hope you will consider making a gift or donation today. You can visit us online, or contact the Development Office at (415) 457-3200 x165 for more information. Every gift, pledge, and commitment helps.
As we come to the end of the calendar year, we face a time when our need for private financial support at the agency is especially great. Long-standing programs like the Marin Academic Center need your help, as do new projects such as the parenting teen program and LGBTQ initiatives at BAYC. Our brand new programs, like Project PRIDE in Sonoma County, cannot get off the ground without private dollars to help them through their initial start up. And every day, we need your support to provide the treatment, the education, the emergency assistance, the advice, the medical care, the support, the person to talk to – whatever help it is that the young people in our programs need. That is our ongoing pledge of support to the vulnerable children and families that we serve, and we are able to keep that pledge with your help.
Our goal for the Annual Appeal this year is to raise $150,000 in gifts and pledges. This is an ambitious goal, especially in the face of the current economic situation, but we are expecting to reach it through small efforts from a large group of supporters. If each member of our donor community is able to make a pledge and commit to giving just $50.00 this year, we would have our most successful appeal on record! I hope you will consider making a gift or donation today. You can visit us online, or contact the Development Office at (415) 457-3200 x165 for more information. Every gift, pledge, and commitment helps.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Running in the Shadows
I wanted to draw your attention to a recent two-part article that appeared in the New York Times. Running in the Shadows addresses the growing number of young runaways in the United States, exploring how they survive and efforts by the authorities to help them. Part one, Recession Drives Surge in Youth Runaways, follows Betty, a 14-year old who had run away from home a week earlier after a violent argument with her mother. "Over the past two years, government officials and experts have seen an increasing number of children leave home for life on the streets, including many under 13. Foreclosures, layoffs, rising food and fuel prices and inadequate supplies of low-cost housing have stretched families to the extreme, and those pressures have trickled down to teenagers and preteens." Once on the streets, these young people face harsh circumstances--from sleeping on sidewalks to hiding out in local parks. The second of the two articles, Running in the Shadows: For Runaways, Sex Buys Survival, sheds light on the risky behaviors runaways engage in simply as a means to survive. Studies have found nearly a third of the children who flee home engage in sex for food, drugs or a place to stay.
As more and more families fall into crisis as a result of the weakened economy, it points to the need for programs like the ones offered by Sunny Hills which help resource families and communities. Our work is to reach out to young people and their families before they reach breaking point. The streets are no place for young people.
As more and more families fall into crisis as a result of the weakened economy, it points to the need for programs like the ones offered by Sunny Hills which help resource families and communities. Our work is to reach out to young people and their families before they reach breaking point. The streets are no place for young people.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Honoring our volunteers
Sunny Hills celebrated the members of the Auxiliary and Guilds of Sunny Hills Services at a luncheon on Wednesday, October 28th at the McInnis Park Golf Club in San Rafael. This esteemed group of individuals has provided generous and loyal support to the agency for decades, helping us to raise financial support and community awareness on behalf of the children and families we serve. We were pleased to honor volunteers celebrating milestones ranging from 55 years of service to 5 years. This group's service to Sunny Hills is unparalleled and we are grateful for their steadfast support and unconditional belief in the mission of Sunny Hills. Please join me in celebrating their numerous contributions to our community!
Friday, October 23, 2009
Shocking Statistics on Children's Exposure to Violence
Earlier this month, the US Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) published "Children's Exposure to Violence: A Comprehensive National Survey." The survey was designed to measure children's exposure to violence across the country, in their homes, their schools, and their communities. It spanned across all age groups, ethnicities, and income levels and was the first of its kind ever undertaken by the government. The numbers revealed by the survey were shocking to many, even those of us on the front lines providing care to children who have been traumatized by violence.
The OJJDP found that over 60% of American children have been exposed to physical violence in their lives over the past year. The violence that the children and young people were exposed to included robbery, vandalism, theft, sexual abuse, and physical assault. The survey did not measure emotional abuse or bullying, but rather looked only at the experience and/or witnessing of physical violence. In one of the most shocking numbers to come out of the study, it was found that nationwide, nearly HALF of all children and adolescents were physically assaulted at least once in the past year. Earlier this month, in response to the findings in the survey, US Attorney General Eric Holder gave a speech addressing what he called “a challenge that affects the entire nation.” The Attorney General called the findings “Astonishing … and unacceptable,” and at Sunny Hills we echo that sentiment.
While these numbers in and of themselves can be shocking and even demoralizing, they are also an important first step for our country to take in eliminating violence against children; through understanding the nature and extent of children's exposure to violence, we can work more effectively to mitigate its effects. As this survey shows, it remains crucial that we provide programs and services that give opportunities for these vulnerable young people to build better and brighter futures for themselves and their families. I deeply appreciate all of our Sunny Hills supporters for helping us do this critical work that allows the countless children and families who have been exposed to violence to heal. Thank you.
For the complete text of Attorney General Holder’s remarks, click here.
For the OJJDP’s official survey and results, click here.
The OJJDP found that over 60% of American children have been exposed to physical violence in their lives over the past year. The violence that the children and young people were exposed to included robbery, vandalism, theft, sexual abuse, and physical assault. The survey did not measure emotional abuse or bullying, but rather looked only at the experience and/or witnessing of physical violence. In one of the most shocking numbers to come out of the study, it was found that nationwide, nearly HALF of all children and adolescents were physically assaulted at least once in the past year. Earlier this month, in response to the findings in the survey, US Attorney General Eric Holder gave a speech addressing what he called “a challenge that affects the entire nation.” The Attorney General called the findings “Astonishing … and unacceptable,” and at Sunny Hills we echo that sentiment.
While these numbers in and of themselves can be shocking and even demoralizing, they are also an important first step for our country to take in eliminating violence against children; through understanding the nature and extent of children's exposure to violence, we can work more effectively to mitigate its effects. As this survey shows, it remains crucial that we provide programs and services that give opportunities for these vulnerable young people to build better and brighter futures for themselves and their families. I deeply appreciate all of our Sunny Hills supporters for helping us do this critical work that allows the countless children and families who have been exposed to violence to heal. Thank you.
For the complete text of Attorney General Holder’s remarks, click here.
For the OJJDP’s official survey and results, click here.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Sunny Hills' Leadership Circle members honored last night
Last night, Bruce and Theresa Raabe hosted a lovely reception at their home in Kentfield in honor of the Sunny Hills Services Leadership Circle, a donor society honoring benefactors who have given generously to Sunny Hills over their lifetime. We are grateful to Bruce and Theresa for opening their home to us. The acoustic melodies played by guitarist, Clay Bell offered a lovely backdrop to this convivial gathering, and the hors d’oeuvres prepared by Mangia Nosh were delicious.
I always look forward to this annual event because it is one small way we can recognize those who have afforded us the opportunity to continue to grow and thrive as an agency. With the support of the Leadership Circle, philanthropy has enabled Sunny Hills to seed new ventures and expand our delivery to reach an even greater number of children and youth in need—which this year will top more than 1,000 across the greater San Francisco Bay Area.
Last night, I was thrilled to be able to share some exciting news: Sunny Hills has met the match for the J. Patrick and Irene Hunt Fund, a named fund established in 2007 in support of Sunny Hills’ educational programs for special needs youth. Longtime board member, Cathy Kennedy and her husband, Dan Grossman joined other generous donors to the Fund to provide the remaining match needed to meet our goal. Together with the Hunts’ own generous financial contributions, the Fund will provide half a million dollars to enhance our programs like the Marin Academic Center, a nonpublic K-8 school located on Sunny Hills’ campus in San Anselmo.
In addition, speaking on behalf of Marin County Supervisor Hal Brown who was unable to join us last night, Bruce Raabe announced a $5,000 grant from the County of Marin to Sunny Hills Services. We appreciate Supervisor Brown for his longstanding support of the agency, and for this new investment in our work.
To all of our Leadership Circle members and our broader donor community, I extend to you my heartfelt gratitude for partnering with us to realize this extraordinary mission. Thank you.
Theresa and Bruce Raabe
Irene Hunt and Cathy Kennedy
Joe Costa and Tony Cameron
J. Patrick Hunt
Leadership Circle members enjoying the evening
CEO Joe Costa addressing our guests
Friday, October 9, 2009
New directors bring expertise to the Board
Sunny Hills is pleased to announce Annette Bekowich and Jay Cahan have joined the Board of Directors. The elections increase the size of Sunny Hills’ Board to 25 members.
Annette’s involvement with Sunny Hills began a number of years ago through her volunteer service with Sunny Hills’ Belvedere Guild, an auxiliary group of women dedicated to volunteering and raising financial support on behalf of the children and families we serve. Annette currently serves as Vice President and Senior Financial Consultant for Wells Fargo Investments in Corte Madera. A Marin County native, she resides in Corte Madera with her husband and teenage daughter. Annette received her MBA from San Francisco State University. She brings a tremendous depth of knowledge to the Board of Sunny Hills where she will serve as a member of the Audit and Development committees.
Jay Cahan is the principal of LC Investments, a property management and real investment sales company. Previously, Jay was CEO of HC&M Commercial Properties, Inc. and also worked for BT Commercial in San Francisco. A resident of the town of Ross in Marin County, Jay has brings significant nonprofit experience by virtue of his board service with The Burt Children’s Center in San Francisco (2005 to present) and The Sage Project where he served as Board President (2002-2007). Jay received his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley.
Please join me in welcoming Annette and Jay!
Annette’s involvement with Sunny Hills began a number of years ago through her volunteer service with Sunny Hills’ Belvedere Guild, an auxiliary group of women dedicated to volunteering and raising financial support on behalf of the children and families we serve. Annette currently serves as Vice President and Senior Financial Consultant for Wells Fargo Investments in Corte Madera. A Marin County native, she resides in Corte Madera with her husband and teenage daughter. Annette received her MBA from San Francisco State University. She brings a tremendous depth of knowledge to the Board of Sunny Hills where she will serve as a member of the Audit and Development committees.
Jay Cahan is the principal of LC Investments, a property management and real investment sales company. Previously, Jay was CEO of HC&M Commercial Properties, Inc. and also worked for BT Commercial in San Francisco. A resident of the town of Ross in Marin County, Jay has brings significant nonprofit experience by virtue of his board service with The Burt Children’s Center in San Francisco (2005 to present) and The Sage Project where he served as Board President (2002-2007). Jay received his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley.
Please join me in welcoming Annette and Jay!
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