Saving Teens Annual Appeal

Dear Friend,

It's tough being a teenager growing up today and many make dangerous choices including substance abuse and breaking the law. Others suffer from intense emotional and psychological struggles. Saving Teens was founded in 2004 to help those children and their families. Effective treatment is available but unaffordable for most. Saving Teens assists deserving families find and fund long term treatment as well as aftercare counseling for when the child returns home.

At the age of 15, Michael already had arrests on his record, was abusing drugs, and truant from school. When his mother contacted us he was on his way to jail for breaking probation. Mike’s Mom knew there was help available but it was out of reach financially. Saving Teens placed and funded him in a 12-week wilderness intervention program to evaluate his long term needs. This was followed by a therapeutic school to continue his education and long term recovery. Today, Michael is more than six months sober, focused and engaged at school, and has a vastly improved relationship with his family.

At 14 years old, Vanessa was diagnosed with both Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Reactive Attachment Disorder. With difficulty relating to others or expressing her emotions, she had turned to self-injury and blind rage. Her family did not have the resources to afford the 12-18 months of specialized treatment she needed. Several months ago Saving Teens placed her at a school where she is making great strides both therapeutically and socially.

These two children and their families are just two of over 70 that Saving Teens has impacted since 2004, significantly improving their prospects in life.

Our selection to be the official philanthropic choice for the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP) gives us the ability to help many more families. It is also official recognition of the quality of our work and our process for selecting appropriate families and the most effective treatment for them.

We have significant goals this year including long term placements for at least 10 more children. A percentage of this will come from scholarships from generous programs and pro bono educational consulting. Another portion of funds available for families this year will be supported by events like our annual golf tournament.

But the most important element of our funding comes from individual donors like you, individuals who understand the critical importance of every child’s life.

Your generous donation helps kids like Michael and Vanessa and their families get help and stay healthy and safe.

Please visit www.savingteens.org to donate and receive updates on our funded families and fundraising initiatives.

Kind regards,

John D. Reuben