2 Reasons I'm Grateful for You
This blog is part of a monthly reflection series from Sister Nancy Downing - CEO, St. Ann's Center. Find more of these reflections by visiting the archive: Sister Nancy's Note.
Hello from St. Ann’s Center! Two recent events have made me especially grateful for your support of the moms and their children who participate in our programs.
The first is this heat wave we are experiencing, which has seriously impacted folks in PG County and across the DMV. Thanks to you, St. Ann’s Center has been able to remain cool and safe for the pregnant women, mothers, and their infants and toddlers who reside with us – not to mention the 68 students currently attending our Child Care Center summer program.
Keeping our large, 1960s-era building cool is no small (or inexpensive!) feat. But your help makes it happen! I am so grateful for you.
The second recent event is related – the July 1 story, “When little kids don’t have stable housing, it can affect their health later,” from NPR’s “All Things Considered.” If you have 3 minutes, I recommend listening at the link above.
The takeaway is exactly what the headline sounds like: Housing insecurity in early childhood can really impact health outcomes later on, including increased rates of anxiety and depression.
This trend is concerning – and just like this summer’s temperatures, the issue of housing insecurity seems to be heating up across our region.
At the same time, we feel immense thankfulness for you and others who help ensure that children at St. Ann’s Center have several “protective factors” in place. This includes not just fundamental shelter and security, but also the loving, caring support of our staff, who help mom and her children heal together from the disruptive effects of housing instability.
“Everything we know about [early] childhood is that it's the most critically important time to get your foundation right,” said Rahil Briggs, quoted in the article above.
Amen. Thank you for helping St. Ann’s families to build that foundation.
Sincerely,
Sister Nancy Downing, CND
CEO, St. Ann's Center for Children, Youth and Families
Celebrate St. Ann's Day: Honoring Women and Empowering Families!
This year, on July 26 - St. Ann's Feast Day - we invite you to celebrate the mothers and their children at St. Ann's Center rewriting their futures. We will also honor the extraordinary women who have meant so much to you with a tribute page on our website. We are excited to share that The Raskob Foundation will generously match your donations dollar for dollar up to $25,000!
Support the families at St. Ann's Center - DOUBLE THE IMPACT - and honor a wonderful woman in your life with your tribute!
Your gift will be generously honored by The Raskob Foundation until August 30, 2024.
Make your gift at: bit.ly/StAnnFeastDay.
About St. Ann's Center
St. Ann’s Center helps mothers and children overcome crisis and achieve lasting independence and stability by providing a safe and supportive home, child care, education and employment assistance, and clinical social work services within a Catholic community that welcomes all.