Adopt A Family Association - Won't You Adopt A Family Now?

2008 ADOPT A FAMILY FOR CHRISTMAS WAS A HUGE SUCCESS! THANK YOU

Every year we hear about a family that has fallen on hard times due to recent loss of employment or an unforeseen financial hardship that plagued them just before the holidays.  Whatever the reason we try to help those who may need assistance during the holiday season.  Through the Adopt a Family for Christmas Program these families are matched with potential sponsors who would like to provide these families in our community with the spirit of Christmas.

In 2008 the Adopt a Family Association had experienced an increase of inquiring corporate and individual sponsors wanting to adopt a local family during the holiday season.  With the creation of our website, thanks to our web designer, Bill Tymoszczuk, the Adopt a Family for Christmas Program was able to match or assist seventy –seven families needing support with the caring and generous sponsors from the Cleveland area.

Referrals to the Adopt a Family Association from area churches, friends, neighbors and other organizations including the City Mission, Salvation Army, Red Cross and other local agencies with families needing help during the holiday season increased tremendously.  With the recent economic downturn, which will affect us all for some time to come, we predict to see a dramatic increase of families needing assistance not only during the holidays, but also throughout the year.

I would like to thank the following corporate employee and organizational sponsors who adopted Cleveland area families in 2008:

Pradco	National City Bank	Menorah Park
Cleveland Research Compan	Case Western	ING-Employee Benefits
Ohio Academy of Paul Mitchell	AmTrust Bank	SPP Distributors
Accenture-Cleveland	Cleveland State University	Worthington -IBS
CSC Group	Great Lakes Electric	Westshore Mothers
Babin Building Solutions	Girls Scout Troop 337	Ohio Desk Company
NASA	MerryMeeting	Walmart-Brooklyn
Hawken Middle School	ContainerPort Group	Walmart-Steelyard Commons

The Adopt a Family Association would also like to extend its thanks to the individuals and their families who also assist local Cleveland families for the holidays.

The Adopt a Family Association was created to provide a short-term safety net and caring support to Greater Cleveland area families in crisis who are working to maintain a stable home environment for their children as they overcome traumatic socioeconomic circumstances.  Since 1996, we have helped hundreds of families and more than 500 children have been provided with Christmas toys, food, clothing, furniture and assistance with utility bills or other services selected to meet specific identified needs.  

Annual special events are held in partnership with local retail merchants where clients can select winter coats for their children.  Remaining items are personally delivered by program volunteers to allow them to connect with each family, provide meaningful encouragement and potentially identify additional ways Adopt a Family can meet short-term need.

 

Confronting the face of poverty face-to-face has inspired volunteers to formally Adopt a Family and secure its 501c (3) accreditation during 2007 as part of its strategic effort to provide a specific period--three months--- of support services to client families throughout the calendar year.  Year-round programming was launched during the second quarter of 2008 and families served increased 50 percent during the 9 months of expanded programming to over 100 families.

The Adopt a Family team members won the National City Bank Excel Award in March 2007 for their commitment to the Northeast Ohio community.  Mayor Frank Jackson also acknowledged the work of the organization by a letter of appreciation.