Holiday 2018 Newsletter

Holiday 2018 Newsletter

Stories of hope YOU bring to children & families

Jenifer Jarriel President & CEO

because friends like you are committed to making a difference.

With your partnership, we’re doing more than ever before to strengthen families, and by doing so, enriching the lives of children.

Dear Friend, I have such fond memories of the holidays as a child from a large family. With a little management of our resources, mom made sure there was always enough for all seven daughters — and whoever else might need a place to spend the holidays.

I see that same compassion and generosity extended to the children and families DePelchin serves each day — all possible

Children like Alyssa, who you’ll read about on page 8, are thriving now because of your choice to give. Thanks to you, her adoptive parents have the resources they need to give her a loving, supportive, and safe home.

It’s not easy raising children who’ve already been through so much in their young lives, but you give families encouragement and helpful tools to use along the way.

Board of Directors Pam Brasseux Chairman Susie Distefano Chairman-elect Henry S. Florsheim Secretary John C. Bass Past Chairman Rhonda C. Arnold, J.D. Susan R. Barnes Laura Bellows Steve Cherek Sue Nan Cutsinger Kimberly C. David Karen Davis Anne S. Duncan Stephen Dyer Donald Hatter, Jr. Bonnie Hellums, J.D.

Santos Hinojosa Korsh Jafarnia, M.D. Debbi M. Johnstone William H. Knull III Carl Lampart Pamela Lovett Robbie Lowrey Connelly McGreevy Ginni Mithoff John S. Moody, Jr. Stewart Pisecco, Ph.D. Carolyn Pope John B. Reed, Jr. Tim Surratt William E. Turcotte Claudia Gee Vassar, J.D. H. Richard Walton W. Temple Webber III Janeana White-Lewis, M.D. Jenifer Jarriel, MBA President and CEO

This holiday season, as you share traditions and fellowship with your own family, I hope you’ll think of your DePelchin family and know how thankful we are for you.

Thank You for Supporting Adoptive Parents

In the year to come, let’s build on the work we’ve already accomplished for children in our community, and make it even better. They’re so worth it!

Thank you for making this holiday season much brighter for those we serve. I’m honored to call you family.

You make it possible for Natalie, Mike, and their children to receive Post-Adoption support from DePelchin!

Gratefully, Natalie and Mike wake up each day to care for their seven children — two biological children and five they’ve adopted.

It can be challenging, but your support is encouraging them along the way.

Jenifer Jarriel President & CEO

Foundation and Trust for DePelchin Children’s Center Board Charles Szalkowski Chairman Scott Galloway Russell Hawkins Jim Henderson Jamie House Carla Knobloch Rahul Mehta John E. Stokes Harper B. Trammell

DePelchin Psychiatric Services Board Lindy Upton McGee, M.D. Chairman Matthew Brams, M.D. James S. Ezelle, Jr., M.D. Sanjay J. Mathew, M.D.

DePelchin Board of Directors Emeriti Emily Crosswell Jesse H. Jones, II Nancy Kinder H. Malcolm Lovett, Jr. Flo McGee Susan Lawhon Padon Pat Powers Ann Trammell

4950 Memorial Drive Houston, Texas 77007 (713) 802-6268 www.depelchin.org

“The help that comes alongside makes our journey more meaningful and just a little bit easier,” Natalie says.

[You’re] helping these children in their healing process.

Natalie and Mike participate in DePelchin’s Post–adoption Program. Your donations help provide services like support groups, parent education and

24–hour crisis intervention for families who’ve adopted children from the Department of Family and Protective Services.

But most of all, Natalie says the family appreciates being able to attend DePelchin’s special events where they can connect with other adoptive families.

“We are so grateful,” Natalie says. “Some of our family’s most cherished memories have come from the DePelchin events.”

family room to move around and care for Caleb during the event. “[You’re] helping these children in their healing process. It shows them their self–worth and prepares them to go out into the world and be productive, healthy members of the community,” Natalie says.

Thank you for helping families like Natalie and Mike’s receive the support they need to live their best lives! You make a difference for so many children and families.

The couple’s youngest child, Caleb, has disabilities, but Natalie says the family is able to participate in numerous events thanks to special arrangements made possible through DePelchin.

They recently attended a concert as a family and were provided with special seats that allowed the

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Thank You for

Sharing Hope

This Holiday Season!

Academy Sports + Outdoors Texas Bowl — December 27, 2018

DOUBLE Your Impact this Holiday Season!

In 2006, The Academy Sports + Outdoors Texas Bowl adopted DePelchin as its charitable beneficiary. Since then, they’ve donated nearly $1.4 million in funding and promotional support. In addition, they’ve hosted scores of DePelchin children and families to special events, giving them memories to last a lifetime. Be sure to tune in to watch the Big 12 and the SEC square off at NRG Stadium for the Academy Sports + Outdoors Texas Bowl on Thursday, December 27!

From now through the end of the year, your gift will go TWICE as far! DePelchin supporters Russell and Glenda Gordy will generously match your gifts, dollar for dollar, up to $200,000 - when received

by December 31. Don’t miss this opportunity to DOUBLE your impact so more at-risk children can be connected with safe and loving homes during this season of giving - and all year long!

A Legacy to Live For: Plan a Gift to DePelchin Today!

Making a planned gift to DePelchin Children’s Center is one of the best ways to ensure future generations receive the services and care they need to thrive. A planned gift is so much more than a tax break – it’s a way to ensure your passions are supported long term. For more information on how to include DePelchin Children’s Center in your will or bequest, contact Alexa Albrecht at (713)802-7648.

Your Gifts Strengthen Local Families

Tokio Marine HCC is Gifting Hope to DePelchin Children Thank you Tokio Marine HCC for giving back during the holidays, and all year long!

Cristi, Erick, and their sons, Yahel and Dexter, are so grateful you give!

In the lobby of the Tokio Marine HCC Houston office stands a special tree. By the time Christmas arrives, the tree will be surrounded by toys and other gifts — all to make this a special holiday for children who are in foster care.

For the past seven years, staff of the international insurance company have made it their holiday tradition to partner with DePelchin to collect toys for foster children.

“DePelchin is an organization that puts kids first, and strives to make families stronger,” says Matthew Haws, financial systems manager for Tokio Marine HCC.

Strengthening the community by improving the quality of life

for all members is an important part of Tokio Marine HCC’s company culture. Tokio Marine HCC employees recognize that DePelchin’s programs are changing and improving lives of the children and families they serve.

That’s why their support is not just limited to the holidays. In addition to the holiday toy drive, staff also host a baked–goods sale twice a year to raise support for DePelchin’s programs, as well as participate in a back–to–school supply drive, giving generously of their time and financial resources.

they receive from DePelchin children are a real treasure. These heartwarming notes are placed in the breakroom for all to read. As Matthew says, “Seeing there are real people on the other end of this process who have benefitted and are grateful is the most fulfilling part.”

While every employee at Tokio Marine HCC is fueled by the knowledge that they’re making a difference in young lives, the handmade notes of thanks

Thank you to the staff of Tokio Marine HCC for making this holiday season special for children, and for the compassion you demonstrate all year long!

DePelchin is an organization that puts kids first, and strives to make families stronger.

When local mom Cristi heard her son exclaim, “Mommy, I love you,” she knew that positive changes were happening. And she wants to thank you for helping her family make that change.

Cristi and her husband, Erick, have been attending classes as part of the ParentingHelp Program at Depelchin Children’s Center.

The classes are free and offer a wealth of information.

Erick and Cristi have two sons, 5–year–old Yahel and 2–year–old Dexter. The parents have only attended the classes for a month and a half, but they’re thrilled they’ve already learned so much.

“We stopped everything that we were doing and started attending these classes,” Cristi says.

Cristi suffered from mental abuse as a child, and credits the classes with helping ensure that the cycle of abuse is broken and won’t continue with her own children.

This program, focused on positive parenting, was designed especially for parents like Cristi and Erick – increasing their knowledge, empowering them to feel confident and capable of caring for their children – despite the fact that they come from difficult backgrounds.

Erick’s perspective has also changed since attending the classes, especially when it comes to discipline for the boys.

“Everything we communicate about the kids, we do in front of them,” Erick says of the recent change.

One of the biggest changes for the family is better communication and an increase in the quality time they spend together. Often, it’s as simple as taking time to talk with the kids and ask them about their days.

“It does help,” Cristi says. “It changed my family!”

We stopped everything that we were doing and started attending these classes.

Thank you for your ongoing support of DePelchin. Your compassion and generosity are improving lives and strengthening families.

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Alyssa’s Future is Bright Thanks to You! Your support makes it possible for DePelchin to find loving adoptive homes for children like Alyssa!

With the guidance of their clinical case manager, Winnie, they made every possible adjustment to give Alyssa the special care she needed.

“Our clinical case manager from DePelchin guided us through it all,” Karen says gratefully.

With the help of DePelchin staff, Alyssa began to thrive in her new, loving home. Today, she’s in 4th grade. “It’s amazing to see how far she’s come,” Karen says, “you’d never know the extent of what she’s been through.”

First, Alyssa’s biological mother lost her parental rights — two years later, her biological father’s custody was revoked, too. At six years of age, Alyssa was old enough to remember these painful separations...but thankfully, your generosity helped forge a new path in life for her.

The support that DePelchin gives families...it is crucial to that child having a brighter future.

“She’s totally changed our family,” says Karen, Alyssa’s adoptive mother.

Karen and her husband, Ric, have two biological sons of their own, and the boys were in their teens when their family made the decision to adopt. But even with Karen and Ric’s extensive parenting experience, they needed help meeting Alyssa’s unique needs. Your gifts helped give them that support.

Karen and Ric completed months of training at DePelchin prior to Alyssa joining their family.

Karen credits Alyssa’s transformation to the care and services they received from DePelchin, and she’s thankful for friends like you who realize the need and give generously.

“The support that DePelchin gives families...it is crucial to that child having a brighter future,” Karen says.

Thank you for being a champion for adoptive children and their forever families!

For more about DePelchin Children’s Center or how to get involved, visit us at www.depelchin.org