WISH LIST $100: 2 hours of family counseling; $500: 1 month of therapeutic workbooks, toys, and art materials; $1000: 10-week leadership group for 15 at-risk girls

Working in a nationally designated “health shortage area” – a region identified by the US government as deficient in health care resources for its residents – Ascensions Community Services provides families in Wards 7 and 8 with the individualized mental health assistance they need. The goal is to decrease incidents of child abuse, school failure, delinquency, and substance abuse – and to get children on track at home, in school, and in their neighborhoods. The program is based on a “therapy without walls” approach in which services go where they are needed: not just to children but also to their entire families; and not just in the community-based offices but also in homes, neighborhood schools, and churches. A new mothers network provides support and resources, and facilitates shared responsibility. Family therapy, parenting classes, behavior management, and pre-adolescent leadership groups are all part of the vision. Ascensions delivers top-notch therapeutic services to all families regardless of their ability to pay. This is a critical contribution to the health of the community, and deserves your caring support.

Dr Satira S Streeter, Executive & Clinical Director 1526 Howard Road SE Washington, DC 20020 202-889-4344 www.2ascend.org