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One of the many gifts of being here is that
a
lmost ev
ery day merits an entry in a gratitude journal. In last Friday's great evening blizzard, Lance and I attended the MATC graduation of a very incredible young woman. Chaya had her first real opportunity to attend
school when she entered foster care at 16. Now she has received her first college degree. I'm sure there will be more.
So many young people have to work so hard to have the
opportunities many of us take for granted. It is such a privilege to share their journey.
You share in this journey. While Chaya did all the heavy lifting, many of you helped Chaya along the way. Thank you.
Sue
Susan Conwell, J.D.,
Executive Director
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 Elves Deliver!
Making holiday wishes come true... takes a lot of work. It involves a moving van. It means hauling and lifting heavy boxes on a Saturday morning. What makes the work worthwhile?
Amanda S. shared her story of entering foster care as a teen and how special it was to have her wish matched by a Foley volunteer. How special? She still remembers years later, as a successful young adult. Being remembered. Feeling special. There are so many ways that Foley & Lardner volunteers take the pressure off of being in foster care. Thank you team captains Kelly and Steph. You and your team are champions for children.
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Grateful for Wendy Huot:
A fivefold increase in babies born drug positive. One in ten children raised without a parent in the home. Trafficking. Child abuse.
There is plenty to worry about over here, and Wendy makes sure I get to worry about the big picture. I am grateful every single day for Wendy Huot, the Finance Director of Independence First. Wendy is the finance leader of Kids Matter as well, and she makes sure I get to worry about the kids - not accrual based accounting.
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Wendy Huot
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So how does a small organization like Kids
M
atter get help from the Finance Director of an organization with a budget 30x our size? Many years ago, the Nonprofit Management Fund suggested
that larger, experienced nonprofits with extra capacity could mentor smaller organizations that couldn't afford full-time staff in accounting and other areas. While a Senior Accountant, Wendy started helping several small nonprofits. She stayed with us when she was appointed Finance Director in 2009. Wendy gets a whole chapter in my gratitude journal. She makes sure we grow responsibly and meet every federal, state and independent audit requirement. The most important superhero cape in this office has the initials WH! Thanks Wendy!
If you have ever wanted to know: 1) We use accrual based accounting. 2) We track every donation. 3) Yes - that tracking includes in-kind donations. 4) Yes - we keep segregated accounts. If you donate to support CASA the donation goes to CASA. If you donate to help kinship families or drug affected infants, we make sure your donations get where you want them to go. 5) We have annual audits that are squeaky clean and available to the public. Wendy Huot, MBA, Director of Finance at Independence First, makes it happen.
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Volunteer Wishes
for Our Kids
"My deepest wish is that each child has at least one person who shows up, if even for a moment, in a way that helps them believe they are loved and that they matter, that their life matters."
- Sandra, 6 year CASA veteran
"I'm wishing that she finds a family in a good home, goes to college and becomes a pediatrician, and owns a house with each room being her design."
- Sherry, standing up for a 15 year old girl who lives in a congregate care facility and does not have a room of her own
"My wishes for the kids are that they know how much they are loved by the families in their lives, learn well in school, and know joy this holiday season."
- Joan, advocating for five foster youth
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 Attention Shoppers!
AmazonSmile donations benefit Kids Matter! Click #StartWithaSmile to support us while you shop.
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The holidays are just beginning, but the thanks and warm wishes are already rolling in:
"Thank you is not enough for what you have done. We truly appreciate everything! You certainly have made a huge difference. Bless you. Love,"
- Patricia M.
"Your simple act of kindness is such a beautiful thing for these simply beautiful children."
- Grandpa Larry K.
"Many small people will have many smiles this Christmas morning. Thank you to our friends at Kids Matter Inc. for their generous donations once again this Christmas season and being such a friend to fostering."
- Paulette D.
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