Citizen Advocacy of Washington County

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It's All About Love

Dear Friend,

Not long ago I was asked this question: “Mark, why do you work for a nonprofit program like Citizen Advocacy? What do you get out of it?” Well, I guess like most things, a person gets what he’s able to give. That was my general feeling when I took this job six years ago. I have to admit; I really didn't know much about CA at the time. In fact, at first it seemed a little complicated. “Providing opportunities for supportive relationships between individuals with developmental disabilities and citizens in the community.” That’s what their brochure said was their mission. But, what really did that mean? I found out pretty quickly that our mission statement could be rewritten a bit more simply. . .

“We bring people together who need love with people who have love to give.”

That’s pretty simple and, as a matter of fact, that’s simply what Citizen Advocacy does. Adults and children with cerebral palsy, school kids with ADHD, boys and girls–men and women with Down Syndrome, all of these folks are looking for the same things you and I are looking for in life–a little love, some affirming and a hand to hold. You and I often take these things for granted, individuals with developmental disabilities don’t.

After doing this job for six years I’ve grown to appreciate that. When you see the smile on a young man’s face when he finds out we’ve found a friend that would like to spend time with him or hear a mom’s sigh of relief when she picks up the phone to hear that her daughter won’t be alone any more, that’s when the love really sinks in and I know that it isn’t what I’ve invested in job but what advocates throughout Washington County have been willing to invest in time and dedication for over 33 years; that’s what makes this job worthwhile.

We need your willingness to invest monetarily in this critically important program to make sure that these boys and girls, men and women, will continue to find that love.

Please consider an investment in Citizen Advocacy right now. Our working list is long and we’re striving to make as many matches as possible in 2011. Your generous, investment of $100, $250, $500 or $1,000 can go a long way in helping us to meet the challenge we’re facing right now to keep this program strong.

CA needs a stable, dependable source of funds; money we can count on, month after month, through good times and bad. We need the resources to help us meet emergencies and continue our work on a broad range of advocacy issues – without interruption. That’s why we continue to tell you about “Friends of CA.” And that’s why I’m turning to you again.

To become a member in this partnership, what I need from you today is a commitment to make a small, monthly gift to CA – as little as $10 per month. Any investment you make, whether monthly or not, would be greatly appreciated.

Your support will help us continue to expand our countywide leadership role in matching individuals with developmental disabilities with citizens in the community.

We need your help! I hope you’ll accept this opportunity today to meet the needs of your community by stepping up and making a commitment to Citizen Advocacy.

I urge you to consider your gift as an investment in the future of all those living in Washington County with developmental disabilities.

Sincerely,

Mark C. Brunner
Executive Director

For further information, call 262-334-3384 or contact Mark Brunner:
Email: mbrunner@cawash.org

All gifts to Citizen Advocacy of Washington County are fully tax deductible!