ANNUAL CAMPAIGN
Dear Friends,
Webster Cantrell Youth Advocacy is a private, non-profit, child welfare agency with a solid commitment of helping hurting children and their families in our community. This name may seem new to you. On February 1, 2020, Webster-Cantrell Hall and the Youth Advocate Program merged, forming Webster Cantrell Youth Advocacy. Through the merger of these two solid social service agencies, a multifaceted agency was created. This new agency is able to offer unduplicated, intense services to families in need within our community. The new agency is serving over 2,000 children and their parents each month through an Intact Family Services Program, Foster Care, Adoption, Counseling Services, Extended Family Support, Visitation Program, Advocacy Program, Family Habilitation Program, Parenting Education Programs, Family Advocate Programs, Youth Housing Assistance, Community Access, Norman Housing Advocacy, Comprehensive Community Based Youth Services, a Hilltop Youth Shelter, and TransParenting Program for parents who are separating or divorcing. Through these programs, our agency is able to provide a full spectrum of services to families to assist with strengthening or improving family systems.
The function, or mission, of the agency is to serve at-risk youth and families through a wide range of strength-based, trauma informed services. We believe that children best develop into productive adults in a supportive, physically and emotionally safe, permanent home, and that a family represents the most desirable home environment. Our professional services facilitate family preservation and self-sufficiency.
Even during this difficult year, our Agency has continued to assist so many children and their families in this community. One father and his four children were living in an apartment that was so infested with insects that nothing he did could get rid of them. The father was finally able to move into a house; however, appliances were not included. The family lived for several weeks without a stove and refrigerator. Many families do this for long periods of time; however, one of the children in this family has a liver disease that requires that his medication be refrigerated. The father was able to keep the medication in a refrigerator at his job and bring home enough for his son in a cooler each night. This was a stressful situation for everyone in the family. Our Agency was able to assist the family in obtaining a stove and refrigerator. When they were delivered to the home, one of the older daughters was so excited, stating that now her brother was going to live!
This is just one of the MANY ways that Webster Cantrell Youth Advocacy has continued to make a positive impact on the lives of children and their families. We are so thankful for those of you that have supported us throughout this year or over the years. We could not continue to do this life changing work without your financial support. We understand this has been a difficult year for so many families; if a large year end donation is difficult this year, we ask that you consider making monthly donations next year. Every dollar truly makes a difference. Donations can be made online at www.wcya.org or by mail. Wishing you and your family a safe, healthy holiday season.