Alexander Youth Network Surpasses $500,000 Fundraising Goal
Charlotte, NC (PRWEB) May 05, 2014 -- Alexander Youth Network is proud to announce last week’s “Celebrating Our Kids” fundraising luncheon successfully raised $500,000 in gifts and pledges plus $22,535 in promised corporate matches, surpassing the organization’s $500,000 goal for the event. Alexander expects the amount raised to increase as more donations come in over the next few weeks from event attendees. When the event began at noon Wednesday, April 30, the organization had already raised $122,000 in leadership gifts from board members, corporate sponsors and other friends. To make a gift in honor of “Celebrating Our Kids,” visit http://www.alexanderyouthnetwork.org/donate.
The event was hosted by Alexander board chair, Rick Bange, and CEO Craig Bass. The blessing was administered by Rev. George Montgomery, who is also a Recruiting and Licensing Specialist charged with finding treatment parents to care for children in Alexander’s Therapeutic Homes. Guests of “Celebrating Our Kids” heard testimony from treatment parent, Irma Patterson, who has provided therapeutic foster care in her home to more than 50 children.
Nineteen-year old Yussef Farag told his story about being adopted and then abandoned. He thanked Mrs. Patterson and the professionals of Alexander Youth Network for helping him. “If not for them, I would not be the person I am today,” he said. Farag is being considered for the Naval Academy class of 2019.
Board member and life-long Alexander supporter Bill Crowder offered powerful testimony of his relationship with the children of Alexander, his “lunch buddies.” He brought the audience to tears when he said, “That day 15 months ago, when a child reached out to me, to a total stranger - he not only took my hand --- he took my heart.” He encouraged event attendees to contribute to Alexander Youth Network’s mission. “You can change their lives, and they will change yours,” he said.
The purpose of “Celebrating Our Kids” is to honor the children served by Alexander Youth Network, and to financially increase the organization’s capacity to serve more children as quickly as possible. Last year, Alexander served 7,330 children with emotional and behavioral challenges across the state.
“We are so humbled and grateful to the community for the financial resources that have kept Alexander Youth Network thriving since 1888,” said CEO Craig Bass. “With this kind of support, we can make getting behavioral healthcare as easy as visiting the Minute Clinic for a sore throat.”
The financial support from event sponsors covered all expenses so that all donations raised from the luncheon can directly support Alexander Youth Network. Those event sponsors are Titan GS, Wells Fargo, Crowder Construction Company, Rodger's Builders, Alston+Bird LLP, King & Spalding, Recall Information Management, Hood Hargett and Robinson Bradshaw.
From eleven regional service locations, Alexander Youth Network serves children and their families from across the state with a complete continuum of quality services including: a Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility, Day Treatment, Therapeutic Foster Care, Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care, Multisystemic Therapy, Intensive In-Home, Outpatient Services, and Medication Management. The Relatives is an affiliate organization that helps at-risk, homeless, and aging-out youth. Alexander Youth Network is a flagship program of the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics™ for addressing the clinical approach to trauma-focused therapies, and it has brought nine best-practice and evidence-based therapies to surrounding communities. For more information about Alexander Youth Network, visit http://www.alexanderyouthnetwork.org.
Dee Grano, Communications Department, http://www.alexanderyouthnetwork.org/page.aspx?pid=326, +1 704-366-8712 Ext: 1246, [email protected]
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