- J
- S
- S
Dear Friends and Family,
I am currently training to run the Big Sur International Marathon in California on April 26th. And what would training for an athletic event be without a little fundraising!? Most of you know that I currently have the best job in the whole world (and that is a completely objective statement) working at Ozone House Youth and Family Services. Ozone House is a crisis center for homeless, at risk, and runaway youth and their families. Youth end up in our services for a number of reasons, including family conflict, housing instability, peer conflict, and mental health and trauma difficulties. Our goal at Ozone is to help get young people to a place where they can live safe, healthy, and productive lives. We do this through individual and family counseling, case management, a drop in center that offers hot meals and a safe place to hang out, support groups, work training, a 24/7 crisis line, and, the area where I work, emergency and transitional shelter programs. Two things really set Ozone House apart from similar service providers. Firstly, we are a strengths-based agency. Instead of focusing only on youths’ problems, we focus on their personal competencies and agency. Their struggles do not define them. Secondly, all of our services are completely FREE. As you can imagine, the costs of facilities, food, basic toiletries and clothing, therapy, and staffing add up fast! We are funded primarily by state and federal grants and assistance, but donations are also a significant part of our funding. I cannot speak highly enough about the organization or the youth that we serve. Our youth are the coolest and most resilient people; I often hear their stories and have no clue how they are still functional, let alone flourishing. It is with them in mind that I plan to run this marathon. If they can overcome all that they do, I can certainly run 26.2 miles. Please consider donating and supporting the well-being of the hundreds of youth and families that I help serve. If you would like to learn more about Ozone House, you can go to http://ozonehouse.org/ or contact me with any questions!
Love,
Jessica
I am currently training to run the Big Sur International Marathon in California on April 26th. And what would training for an athletic event be without a little fundraising!? Most of you know that I currently have the best job in the whole world (and that is a completely objective statement) working at Ozone House Youth and Family Services. Ozone House is a crisis center for homeless, at risk, and runaway youth and their families. Youth end up in our services for a number of reasons, including family conflict, housing instability, peer conflict, and mental health and trauma difficulties. Our goal at Ozone is to help get young people to a place where they can live safe, healthy, and productive lives. We do this through individual and family counseling, case management, a drop in center that offers hot meals and a safe place to hang out, support groups, work training, a 24/7 crisis line, and, the area where I work, emergency and transitional shelter programs. Two things really set Ozone House apart from similar service providers. Firstly, we are a strengths-based agency. Instead of focusing only on youths’ problems, we focus on their personal competencies and agency. Their struggles do not define them. Secondly, all of our services are completely FREE. As you can imagine, the costs of facilities, food, basic toiletries and clothing, therapy, and staffing add up fast! We are funded primarily by state and federal grants and assistance, but donations are also a significant part of our funding. I cannot speak highly enough about the organization or the youth that we serve. Our youth are the coolest and most resilient people; I often hear their stories and have no clue how they are still functional, let alone flourishing. It is with them in mind that I plan to run this marathon. If they can overcome all that they do, I can certainly run 26.2 miles. Please consider donating and supporting the well-being of the hundreds of youth and families that I help serve. If you would like to learn more about Ozone House, you can go to http://ozonehouse.org/ or contact me with any questions!
Love,
Jessica