Dear Friend,

 

I hope you and your loved ones are safe and healthy.

 

In this challenging time, our dedicated and hard-working staff have been continuing to do whatever it takes to care of our kids and families. They are staffing our community centers for children in need of a safe place to go. They are going out into the community to make sure families are safe and well, bringing groceries and other essential items. They are providing 24/7 care to our young people on our Campus. And, they are finding new ways to remotely provide therapeutic supports, help with homework, ensure sick children or parents have the best care, and provide personal connection when we all need it most.

 

Some members of our team -- the same group of caring individuals who show up to work every day to provide support for our kids and families -- are also struggling themselves. They, too, are experiencing household hardships, medical, child care and financial needs, but through it all, they find a way to put the needs of our kids and families first.

 

Our extraordinary Board Chair, Georgia Wall, exudes the belief that these everyday heroes deserve all of the support we can provide. And, Georgia leads by action. I am thrilled to announce that Georgia and her husband, Don Gogel, have made an amazing $100,000 contribution to create a fund for our caring staff members. The Georgia Wall and Don Gogel Graham Staff Thrive Fund will help defray the cost of things such as transportation, child care, medical, food, and other needs for members of the Graham team.

 

Georgia has been an amazing leader for Graham's kids and families for the past 30 years. It is one of my highest privileges to be her partner in this work. We can't thank Georgia and Don enough for their extraordinary generosity and support of our staff, in addition to all that they do year round to ensure our kids and families have the support that they need to thrive in life.

 

From all of us in the Graham community, thank you, Georgia and Don for your inspiring leadership and example.

 

Be well, all!