A Message from Executive Director, Tom Bieri

“Without the help of SAY’s programs, I most likely would have ended up like one of my siblings; my brothers are incarcerated and my sisters were mothers by the age of 14.  I am very thankful to the SAY program because it helped me turn my life around.  Hopefully one day I can show other youth a better way of living and be a positive role model for my family.

                                                                                  Lila  ~aged 18

December, 2007

Dear Caring Community Member,

Without the support of our community, this young woman could not have accomplished what she did.  SAY has been providing services to Sonoma County’s at-risk children and youth like Lila and their families for over Thirty-Six Years!

And because of strong community support,

SAY is still going strong!

5,071 individuals received guidance through one of SAY’s stellar individual, group, and family counseling programs last year.  Your generosity helped them find hope and gain mastery over their problems. 

Community support helped provide 12,242 counseling sessions.

Community kindness helped young children heal and grow.

Community commitment helped kids who’ve had scrapes with the law turn their lives around.  98.3% of those who completed SAY’s acclaimed Functional Family Therapy program were not re-arrested or convicted of any crimes.  Of all the programs funded by the Sonoma County Probation Department, FFT has the lowest recidivism rate. 

Donating to programs that reduce criminal behavior the way that FFT does is a good investment.  It costs our community between $60,000 and $100,000 per year to put a criminally involved youth in a residential program.  It costs SAY $2,000 to provide FFT for that same youth, and they are less likely to re-offend after completing our program.  A recent study found that for every dollar invested in an FFT program, the community saves $29.00.

I am asking you to make a tax deductible investment of $100 or more to help continue the momentum of our life-changing and cost-saving programs. 

Since 1971, Social Advocates for Youth has been a trusted advocate for Sonoma County’s at-risk children, youth and families.   That trust came full circle this year.

When the Haigh-Scatena Foundation decided to close this year, they designated SAY as their final recipient of funds.  The Haigh-Scatena Foundation provided some important seed money when SAY first opened our doors and SAY has been opening doors ever since!

Since 1991, SAY’s Rev. James E. Coffee House Teen Shelter has been Sonoma County’s only 24 hour runaway and homeless shelter for youth.  The teenage girls who have been homeless and at risk of predation on the streets of Santa Rosa thank you for providing them a safe refuge, and the many families who have been reunited with their children thank you. 

Over 95% of the youth Coffee House serves

successfully reunite with their families.

In 2005, SAY opened Tamayo House - Sonoma County’s only transitional housing program for former foster youth and youth with mental disabilities who are at risk of homelessness.  The 18 to 24 year olds who live at Tamayo House speak passionately about how Tamayo House has helped them successfully launch their lives as independent young adults.

YOU HAVE DONE SO MUCH FOR SAY,

AND WITH YOUR HELP SAY CAN DO SO MUCH MORE!

With your support, not only will SAY continue its highly successful programs - We will be able to expand our programs to reach more children, youth, and families.

SAY will continue to set the standard in providing services of the highest quality to our community:  in gang prevention and intervention, in giving on-going employment and educational support, in conducting our Summer Leadership Program, in providing a supportive and safe refuge for the homeless teens of Sonoma County, in helping transitional aged youth become independent through our Tamayo House program, in providing counseling to those in need…

And We Will Continue To Never Give Up On Kids!

As 2007 draws to a close, we hope you will remember SAY in your charitable donations.  It is members of our community like you who help keep SAY’s momentum going and fulfill our unique role in the community. 

Thank you for your commitment to SAY and to the children, youth and families we serve. 

                                                       Sincerely, and with deep gratitude,

                                                        Tom Bieri

                                                        Executive Director

P.S.  While we gratefully receive all gifts, those of $100 or more can help us make a substantial impact right away! And with our new pledge program, you can make a large gift and spread payments over 10 months.  Please see the enclosed reply form for details, and please send your gift today.

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