about the warming house

Appeal Letter

November 9, 2006

Dear Friends of the Warming House:

We are proud to have been serving North Shore youth for the past 35 years, and we owe our longevity to supporters like you. With your help, we are able to provide exciting programs and activities for high school aged teens and retain a highly skilled and compassionate staff.

In the past fiscal year, we have expanded our Community Service program to incorporate more teens and to allow them to take part in more meaningful service learning activities. We have increased the number of concerts, open microphone nights, and poetry slams that we host, allowing teens to showcase talents and offering a venue for safe and supervised weekend activities. We held monthly Multicultural outings that encourage youth to engage in discussion and thought about other countries, communities, and people. Finally, we have recruited staff members and interns from widely reputed universities including Northwestern, Lake Forest College, and the Illinois School of Professional Psychology, who specialize in social work, psychology, education, and youth.

Most importantly, Warming House staff members aim to create a safe and supportive environment for teens, and to encourage their emotional growth and positive change. One teen describes his experience:

Since my time at the Warming House, I have grown in so many ways. When I first arrived, I was uncomfortable with the idea of opening up to people I barely knew. I also had a predisposition to be somewhat of a loner. Over the course of three years, I have learned to be more forthcoming with my feelings, a task I thought to be near impossible. I have become better at identifying underlying causes for my problems...The staff members at the Warming House have been amazing. I can honestly say that I have not found people who I would be more willing to open up to without fear of judgment or misunderstanding.

Your contributions allow us to continue to provide a safe and supportive space to teens like this one. Please consider a 10% increase in your donation this year, to help the Warming House continue to provide superior services to New Trier Township youth. Your fiscal generosity is invaluable to our ability to achieve our vision.

Gratefully yours,

Cynthia Doucette, Executive Director

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