Amy Beechner McCarthy, Executive Director

What an exciting year we had! This year’s Annual Report will only be available on our web-site but it is easily printed and if you want us to send you an electronic or paper copy, just give us a call. We have tried to include stories and accomplishments for each of the departments. We do a lot so I hope you are not overwhelmed by the large amount of text! Please let me know what you think and I will see how we can improve our 2010 Annual Report!

I am so fortunate to work with such caring and supportive people.  While it often seems like the individuals and families we work with have overwhelming odds to overcome, I meet people every day who impress me with their willingness to move forward and do what it takes to make a life for themselves and their families.

One story that I will always remember from this year was a mom and a son who came to one of the Community Work Support Advisory County meetings to thank the group for all they had done for her. This brave mom talked about the challenges she faced since here husband’s incarceration. She was not the least bit accusatory or blaming, she just stated how her life circumstance had drastically changed.  It was hard for me to sit dry-eyed as she told how our simple help of a car loan had given her hope and the chance to start over again with her two children. 

I am also reminded of one of the young children Jean was able to help. Unfortunatly we have a waitng list for Capable Kids and Families, so when a local therapist called with a list of families she wanted to refer Jean had to explain that she was sorry but we could not add any more families to our home visitation schedule. However,  when the therapist explained one situation Jean had to act. This young girl has lived the first four years of her life in a hospital due to severe abuse but was finally able to come to live with her grandparents. The problem was that without the correct equipment the family could not position their granddaughter correctly and her extremites were blue from a lack of circulation. Jean worked with the threapist to pick the best positioning devices for the family. Jean also brought some great toys that this young girl could look at and listen too. The grandmother was so grateful. She couldn’t believe that we were delivering it to her house and that she would be able to keep it as long as her granddaughter needed it.  Even when we can’t help a child move forward in their devleopment it so gratifying to know we can help make them be more comfortable and better able to function in their families.

I also remember coming into the office to see the youth we work with, who live in foster care, who were getting ready to attend a meeting in Jefferson City. They were so excited to be joining other youth from around the state to share their stories and plan for their future.  One young man gave me a big hug and said; “You all are amazing - you do so much for us.” (The only thing I had done to deserve this hug was to tell him he could take our aluminum cans for a project he was working on!)

For the childcare providers who come to the office to proudly share their lastest accomplishments and how they have implemented the things they have learned. The young parents who just stop by to talk about their children or their new job.

This new year will present many challenges and opportunties. We have launched an expansion of Capable Kids and Families in St. Louis (thanks to St. Louis Arc and a genreous one-year expansion grant). We have a wonderful new relationship with a researcher from Chapin Hall at the Univeristy of Chicago. She has taught us so much already about our evaluation design. We have lost significant funding in two program areas but are trying new approaches to deliver the same quality services. The next year for the State looks quite bleak and we know that our programs will be negatively impacted. The hard part is that when the funding decreases the need for services only grows larger. We are really going to need our friends to rally with us this year.

We have great hope and the joy of our work will keep us moving forward to find some answers. We are so fortunate to live in a community that embraces our belief in working together to find solutions;  in supporting people as they find their way to greater independence;  and the knowledge that working together we can sustain the development of a healthy and thriving community. Thanks for being a part of this great adventure!