Your contributions are a critical piece
to a child’s brighter future.
Dear Friends, As we mark the 45th anniversary of Kids In Crisis, we re ect on the lasting impact of your kindness. The children we aided years ago are now grown, with families of their own, and they often share their gratitude with us. Last month, a former resident of the SafeHaven Shelter visited to dine with our current young residents, sharing fun tales of his time here. Y our generosity has created a lasting legacy, touching lives across generations. Facing the increasing mental health needs of children, Kids In Crisis has set an ambitious goal: to positively impact 25,000 Connecticut children by 2025 (our 25by25 Campaign). Since December 2021, we’ve already reached nearly 13,000 kids , all thanks to your support! At the heart of our services is our 24/7 emergency Helpline. This past year, we answered 670 calls , helping an average of 3 children or families daily . This is a 17% increase from last year, showing our growing impact and the community’s trust in our services. But there are still more families needing our help. In the last year, we provided 1,687 bed nights at SafeHave a 67% increase from the previous year. We’re adding more beds and sta to meet this demand. SafeHaven is a nurturing place made possible by you. The children often write to us, expressing thanks for everyday joys like school, playtime, or just watching TV.
KidTalk Pilot Program, an area Elementary School. Our Lighthouse LGBTQ+ youth group has grown signi cantly, with weekly meetings in several towns. In 2024, we’re excited to extend these services to Ridge eld. A 2021 CDC Report on LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health stated that 69% of LGBTQ+ youth felt persistently sad and hopeless, a signi cantly higher rate compared to 35% of heterosexual youth. Additionally, during the pandemic, LGBTQ+ high school students were about four times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual counterparts. In light of those grim facts, 100% of Lighthouse participants reported improved social skills, and 63% reported reduced anxiety and depression.
This year, we welcomed over 20 new sta members , bringing fresh ideas to our mission of building healthy communities. This growth in services is a testament to your invaluable contribution. As you will read in the Treasurer’s Report, investment income and donations increased this year, allowing us to help even more children and families. Together, we’ve served 5,758 individuals this year, edging closer to our goal. As we look to 2024, we’re committed to reaching an additional 25,000 children and families in crisis by 2025.
Only because of you, can master ‘s-level mental health counselors work with schools, counseling children from a wide age range struggling with anxiety, depression, bullying, family con ict, academic issues, grief/loss, substance abuse, abuse/neglect, justice involvement, and lack of basic needs. We call these programs TeenTalk and ClubTalk. If you have children in Fair eld County schools, there is a good chance our counselors are serving in your child’s school. We are in 18 high schools and middle schools, serving 3,000 young people . These programs deliver essential support, particularly in addressing anxiety, con ict, social pressures, and academic challenges. We are growing our TeenTalk Program next year to new schools in Darien and Newtown and testing the
In conclusion, Margaret Mead’s words ring true: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Your commitment and generosity are changing lives. Thank you for ensuring your gifts make a di erence for generations to come.
Shari L. Shapiro Executive Director
Suzanne Koroshetz Chairman of the Board
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