Dear Boys Town South Florida Supporters,
I hope this message finds you well, and that the joy of the past holiday season still resonates with you. I want to express our heartfelt gratitude for your incredible support for our "Hope for the Holidays" initiative. Thanks to your generosity, we were able to bring joy and festive cheer to 275 children and their families. Your donations have made a significant impact, ensuring that families experienced the warmth and magic of the holiday season. In particular, your support allowed us to provide gifts and create memorable moments that will be cherished for a lifetime. And beyond the holiday season, we had an amazing year in 2023 bringing hope, healing and help to over 3,000 children and their families in South Florida.
As we reflect on the past year, I wanted to highlight a special aspect of our services – Boys Town's Common Sense Parenting Classes (CSP). Part of this incredible program involves teaching families how to create meaningful traditions for their children. During the holidays, these traditions take on even greater significance, fostering a sense of connection, joy and love within each family. Supporting parents and strengthening families is key to early intervention in a child's life and lies at the core of what we do here in South Florida. Studies show that every dollar invested in early childhood development programs like CSP, or our other home-visiting or education-support programs, yields a return on investment of seven to 10 times by reducing future social costs, such as crime, special education and healthcare expenses. Parenting programs like Common Sense Parenting® focus on nurturing, communication, skill building and positive discipline, reducing the likelihood of children's behavioral issues which can contribute to a more stable and economically productive society.
We are energized and inspired by the positive impact we have collectively made during the past year. Looking ahead to 2024, we are excited about the opportunities that lie before us. We are committed to strengthening our partnerships with the community, donors, volunteers and friends like you. Together, we can continue making a positive difference in the lives of the at-risk children and families we serve.
Thank you for being an essential part of our journey. Your support is a beacon of hope for many, and we look forward to achieving even greater heights in the coming year.
Wishing you a joyful and prosperous 2024!
Bethany Lacey
Executive Director