The Center for Children and Families in Norman, Oklahoma, a Raising More Money alumni organization, is one of the many nonprofits playing a critical role in rebuilding lives after Hurricane Katrina. The executive director wrote a very heartfelt letter to donors, which she is sharing to help inspire other nonprofits involved in the relief effort.
Dear Cindy,
Like the rest of the country, we at the Center for Children and Families watched in sadness as the images from Hurricane Katrina unfolded.
Unlike most people in the middle of Oklahoma, however, we also have a firsthand knowledge of the tragedy. As survivors of the disaster have made their way into town (10,000 are estimated to arrive in the Oklahoma City metro area), our agency has been called upon to counsel children and families who are confused, angry, and stunned by their losses. Our staff has worked weekends and evenings to comfort these displaced persons, knowing that their issues cannot be resolved in a day, a month, or even half a year.
We call to mind the words of Dr. Bruce Perry, "Our society may not have the wisdom to see that the real crisis of Katrina is the hundreds of thousands of ravaged, displaced and traumatized children. We understand broken buildings; we do not understand broken children.
"We will spend billions of dollars rebuilding the roads, bridges, buildings, pipelines, oil rigs, casinos and houses. Will we spend billions healing these children? We will spend billions to reclaim New Orleans. Will we spend billions to reclaim the potential of these children?"
It is people like you, our supporters, who allow us to be there for the children, heart and soul. People like you are the light in this darkness, and it is to you that we extend our utmost thanks.
Linda A. Terrell, MHR
Executive Director
Center for Children and Families
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