How you can help: A special appeal
It’s shocking but true–in the U.S., 1 out of 4 girls will be sexually or physically abused before the age of 18.
The result: 25 percent of the female population of this country suffers the lifelong burden and consequences of being abused. Throughout their lives, through no fault of their own, they face trauma and barriers that they alone may not be able to overcome.
Depression, low self-esteem, addiction, involvement in violent relationships, risky sexual behavior and many other serious issues are often markers of abuse. Moreover, evidence is growing about the link between childhood sexual abuse and teen pregnancy. For example, by age nineteen, 32 percent of young women in foster care report having at least one child as compared to 12 percent of their peers not in care. The domino effect is generations of families stretched thin by poverty, homelessness, unemployment and social isolation.
You and I know that the female spirit is resilient and powerful.
With support and opportunity, many do conquer the obstacles created by their past victimization and become healthy, successful, independent women, mothers, colleagues and leaders. The National Crittenton Foundation and the Crittenton family of agencies have been working across the country for more than a century to provide them with opportunities for self-empowerment, treatment and skill development.
Our foundation provides services that support the longevity of our 26 agencies operating in 24 states to provide comprehensive housing, education, mental health, substance abuse, employment, parenting and life skills services to young women working hard to build a better life. All together, the family of agencies have served more than 9 million young women. But today, the provision of these services may be at risk due to decreases in foundation and public funding.
In these challenging economic times, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But one thing we all know is that everybody needs help sometimes. It’s just the nature and degree of help and support that varies. Being a parent is tough in the best of circumstances–but for youn single mothers, the balancing act is even more precarious. In the midst of balancing your own life and budget, you might feel like you can’t do anything that will truly make a difference.
But it’s actually quite easy to help and have a real impact.
This is how: why not take a minute to make an investment of $35, $50, $100 or $500 in recognition of young mothers who are working hard to become self-sufficient and to break intergenerational cycles of destructive behaviors and relationships?
Your donation is tax-deductible, and by investing in the national level of our work, you will be helping support the innovation and stability of our 26 agencies and the young women and young families they serve.
Today, more than ever, we must support young women who are working hard to build safe and stable families and lives. Thank you in advance for your support.
Jeannette Pai-Espinosa, President
Hi, gr8 post thanks for posting. Information is useful!
Hi! I like your srticle and I would like very much to read some more information on this issue. Will you post some more?
Great motivation