Northern Rivers Family Services  
Annual Appeal

Help us build a better tomorrow...

It was 7am in the morning when Parsons Early Head Start program staff opened doors to gusty winds, chilling sleet, and a pair of strangers; a young single mother, Estelle, and her son Anthony. Estelle worked six days a week, always chasing the bus to go between the two jobs she had, a fast food restaurant and a gas station. Hungry, scared, and desperate, Estelle was at the brink of a breakdown.

Estelle never imagined this would be the place where she would run into her estranged cousin, Daniel. Where was the wild Danny from the streets, where the gangs ran amuck and the drug deals went down? She noticed the change in him immediately. It was not his clean shirt and groomed hair, it was in his eyes. The anguish, angst, and cold distrust that used to cloud Daniel’s eyes were now replaced by warmth and a glow of self-assurance. Estelle was surprised to learn that Daniel was doing an internship at the center and happy to hear about his transformation.

After some serious problems with the law, a friend recommended Daniel join the YouthBuild program at Northeast Parent & Child Society. There, he learned a host of life skills, obtained his GED, and realized his true potential. Today, he is in college; preparing for his future. He told Estelle about the programs and services provided by Parsons Child and Family Center and Northeast Parent & Child Society, now affiliated under the parent company Northern Rivers Family Services.

Joining forces July 2012, Parsons and Northeast, two of the largest human services agencies in New York State, are providing a full array of mental and behavioral health and children’s welfare programs to more than 15,000 children and families. We are helping families stay together, heal from trauma, and create brighter futures and stronger communities.

Today, Anthony is flourishing in the Early Head Start Program; Estelle is enrolled in YouthBuild and Daniel is fulfilling his dreams. We are committed to changing their lives and those that need our help, but we cannot do it alone. With your generous gift to Northern Rivers Family Services, we will be able to reach so many more of our most vulnerable neighbors, and together we can build a better tomorrow.

 

If you would like to make a tax deductible monetary contribution to the Annual Appeal to support
Northeast Parent & Child Society and Parsons Child and Family Center, please click on the button below.

  
www.parsonscenter.org | www.neparentchild.org

Northern Rivers Family Services | Development Department | 60 Academy Road Albany, NY 12208 | (518) 346-5224