Dear Uplift Community,
As we close out a very busy and difficult year, I find myself reflecting on the bright moments that have eased the harder times. Here are some of the positive developments we have seen and done here at Uplift:
- The pandemic changed everything, Uplift included. Philadelphia's Black and Brown communities continue to be disproportionally affected by Covid-19 . We are striving to meet grieving children and families where they are physically and mentally, ensuring that their mental health needs are recognized and addressed.
- Justice must be achieved. This year saw the long-overdue acknowledgement of racial injustices in our country, and bold steps are finally being taken in Philadelphia and around the country to address inequities and biases. Uplift's staff and Board continue to have honest and often difficult conversations to ensure ours is truly an anti-racist organization that puts the needs of those we serve first and recognizes them as collaborators.
- It’s vital to our well-being to continue connections. In an effort to combat fear, anger, and sadness, I look to others to help me find joy. I'm fortunate to be able to work from home, side-by-side with my children and husband, and I learn new things about them every day. Zoom calls with long-distance friends bring us closer than we've been in years. Virtual events and milestones remind me that I'm lucky to still have occasions to celebrate.
- Our community truly uplifts me. Thank you for your support. Thank you for your belief in our mission. Thank you for valuing the necessity of grief support for children, and for continuing to make sure our work gets done.
Thank you. I wish you a safe, happy, and healthy holiday season, and a very peaceful
New Year.
With Gratitude,
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Darcy Walker Krause
Executive Director
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Uplift Receives Grants from Delaware Valley Legacy Fund and
The Barra Foundation
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Uplift's innovative Queer and Trans Youth Services Program, supporting young queer and trans Philadelphians with specialized grief support since 2018, is a Delaware Valley Legacy Fund 2020-21 LGBTQ+ Emerging Needs Grantee. The generous $2,500 award from DVLF allows for the continuation of Uplift's queer and trans grief groups at the Attic Youth Center into the New Year. CJ Roseberry, MSW, School and Community Services Clinician and the driving force behind Uplift's Queer and Trans Programming, attended DVLF's virtual event on December 13th to be recognized along with other grantees.
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In 2020, Uplift was awarded a total of $50,000 from The Barra Foundation as part of their Recovery and Response Initiative, which recognizes organizations confronting Covid-19 and racial injustice. Uplift is grateful to The Barra Foundation for enriching all aspects of our programs, and we honor their commitment to organizations that further social justice.
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Philly HopeLine Nominated for Social Innovations Award
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Philly HopeLine Holiday Schedule
The Philly HopeLine, Uplift's free, confidential mental health support helpline, will run on a modified schedule over the winter break.
Call or text the Philly HopeLine at
1-833-PHL-HOPE (1-833-745-4673)
- Monday, 12/21 - Wednesday, 12/23: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
- Thursday, 12/24 & Friday, 12/25: Closed
- Monday, 12/28 - Friday, 1/1: 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Messages left after hours or during HopeLine closure will be returned the next business day. Normal hours (Monday - Friday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.) will resume Monday, 1/4.
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"Speaking Grief for 20 Years" Virtual Panel Now Available to View
Last month, over 55 attendees joined Uplift’s first-ever livestream panel discussion, Speaking Grief for 20 Years, for an educational and enlightening discussion centered around the unique challenges and strengths of grieving children and caregivers in Philadelphia. A recording of the panel, complete with captions, is now available on Uplift's YouTube page, and the livestream remains available on our Facebook page. Tune in any time to hear Clinical Director Kevin Carter, MSW, LCSW in conversation with Dr. Jayme Banks from the School District of Philadelphia, Chantay Love, MHSA from EMIR Healing Center, and Uplift clinicians Teresa Méndez-Quigley, MSW and Crystal Wortham, MSW, LSW.
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Make the Holidays Hopeful With a Gift to Uplift
Your generosity makes possible the vital grief support Uplift provides for grieving children, youth, teens, caregivers and professionals.
Uplift is here for them, continuing to provide vital, empowering services.
- The CARES Act creates a new above-the-line deduction for you for total charitable contributions of up to $300. The incentive applies to cash contributions made in 2020 and can be claimed on tax forms next year.
- The law also lifts the existing cap on annual contributions if you itemize, raising it from 60% of adjusted gross income to 100%.
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Uplift Center for Grieving Children is a non-profit tax-exempt corporation under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code. The official registration and financial information of Uplift Center for Grieving
Children may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
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