According to Jonathan’s Place CEO Allicia Frye,
At Jonathan’s Place, we provide a safe place, loving homes and promising futures to abused and neglected children, teens and young adults. The recent cancellation of our signature event, the 9th Annual A Chance to Soar Luncheon, because of COVID-19, was heart-wrenching because of the potential for a staggering $250,000 loss, a major blow to our general operating and each of our program budgets. These programs include: Emergency Shelter, Girls Residential Therapeutic, Transitional Living, Safe Place, Foster Care and Adoption, and our newest program for child sex trafficking victims – RESET.
While many DFW businesses have had to close their doors, our doors must remain open to provide immediate help to children in need – no matter what. Additionally, with schools closing three months early we will undoubtedly have an increase in our food bills, electricity bills, and staffing costs.
Many of our luncheon sponsors graciously agreed to allow us to keep their sponsorships as donations, but we still have a gap to meet our luncheon goal, but there is no doubt in my mind that we will get there. We will continue to apply for COVID-19 grants, as well as reach out to the community to assist us in closing the gap.
A key component of our continuum of care is our ability to immediately meet the needs of every child that comes to our doors. Whether a child needs food, clothing, shelter, an education, therapeutic services, or protection, we must always be at the ready.
At this very second, I can hear the children laughing and playing outside of my office window and we can’t thank our supporters enough for assisting in make that possible. These are unprecedented times for all of us, but together we can and will get through this.
* Graphic and photo provided by Jonathan's Place