To quote an African proverb, It Takes A Village to Raise a Child. For the children, adolescents and adults receiving services from Devereux, no truer words could describe the all-encompassing support they receive.
We have a stellar team of clinicians, direct care and support staff who work with our clients everyday. Working with families and agencies, they are making a difference in the lives of some of our most fragile citizens. Their work is dedicated to helping clients to achieve independence and learn important life skills.
We also have the benefit of generous supporters who donate to Devereux to help make the lives of our clients better. Earlier this month, we closed out an ambitious five-year capital campaign in southeastern Pennsylvania. We raised $20 million to support programs for children with autism and developmental disabilities at the Kanner center; adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities at the Whitlock center and children and adolescents with behavioral challenges and mental illness at the Beneto center. It was a daunting task, but one that was greatly needed. We are going to be able to improve the programs, services and residences for our current clients and also open up our programs to help more clients.
Devereux Chairman, Tom Hays, and Vice Chairman, Skip Genuardi, offered a generous $1 million challenge grant to help close out the campaign. Devereux parents, Lisa Yang and Hock Tan, along with an anonymous Chester County philanthropist, offered the final contributions that met the $1 million challenge grant and brought us to our $20 million goal.
Our most important stakeholders, dedicated staff, generous donors and supportive families work together to make the difference. By being a stakeholder in Devereux, you are part of the village that is changing lives and bringing hope to children, adolescents and adults everyday. For that, I offer you my heartfelt thanks.
