All of us at Ozanam try to make the holiday season a meaningful time for the children and families we serve through our various programs, but we couldn’t do this without your help! Here are some of the ways that we can work together this year to make the youth in each of our programs feel special:
- Pathways Program: Approximately 90 young adults (60 in Kansas City and 30 in Wichita) appreciate gift cards and/or other small gifts depending on their needs. Many of these youth do not have anywhere else to spend the holidays and will wake up on Christmas morning in their transitional living apartments or in The Path transition home.
- Residential Treatment Program: Approximately 75 boys and girls, ages 12-18, appreciate gifts from donors who sign up to sponsor their wish lists. A little less than half of these youth will open their gifts at Ozanam on Christmas morning, and the others will open their gifts at home if they have a home pass.
- Day Treatment Program: Approximately 35 students appreciate a standard gift from Ozanam before they leave for their holiday break from school. They spend Christmas at home.
- Ozanam Families: Many of our clients come from families who are struggling financially. More than 90% are estimated to fall below the poverty line. As the holidays approach, staff members identify the families who are in need the most, some who specifically request assistance, and then their wish lists are distributed to donors who are willing to sponsor their gifts or shop for them.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
- Sign up to sponsor gifts for one of our children or families in need and shop with suggestions from their wish lists.
- Donate a $25 gift card to Walmart or Target to help young adults in our Pathways Program.
- Sponsor an activity for one of the dorm units by donating 12-15 movie passes or bowling passes.
- Bake cookies or deliver stocking stuffers for a group of youth.
- Make an in-kind donation of warm clothing or other items on our general list of needs.
- Make a donation to Ozanam to support general operating expenses related to the holidays.
Feel free to contact us at 816-508-3600 or email info@ozanam.org to learn more about how you can help. You can also visit Ozanam’s website at www.ozanam.org to view our most up-to-date wish list of general needs. As always, we appreciate your support!
Advertisement
