Hey y’all! I wrestled with whether to start this birthday campaign early because I did not want to come across as exploitative following the recent devastating storms that have left so many people displaced in St. Louis. It was supposed to start in two weeks, BUT the time is NOW and the need is evident! ESP will be hitting the ground to take care of immediate needs by donating our time, resources, and talents, but the aftermath of things like the most recent storms will have residual effects well beyond our cleanup efforts.
Equal Shares Parenting has served close to 4500 people since starting this birthday fundraiser three years ago! This year, economic hardships continue to wreak havoc on families. We are on track to add over 500 more sessions as we have expanded and brought on more clinicians. 300 of those sessions were covered by generous donors like you!!!
Our income-based fee program ensures that clients can access therapy for as low as $35 per hour with a licensed therapist. Financial stress goes against our mission as a mental health provider and family support service. In challenging times, even $35 can be a significant strain. The cost is FREE to our clients and the funds are used to provide our clinicians an extremely reduced rate to ensure that they also can manage to have longevity in this work. Economic hardships impact providers as well.
For my birthday, I’m rallying my village to cover the cost of therapy for families in need at Equal Shares Parenting. Can I count on you to help me raise $10,000? With $10,000, we can double our impact from last year!
Last year, we provided over 30 families with free therapy through this fundraiser. Here is feedback from our staff who have seen the impact firsthand:
“As the admin assistant, I’ve witnessed firsthand how nervous individuals can be when discussing if they will be able to afford the services we provide. Lapsed insurance, little household income, or poor health circumstances can and do impact the accessibility and affordability of the population we serve. The funds that we raise annually have provided so much support to individuals who would otherwise be unable to afford therapy. The funds we raise mean that someone’s grandmother, father, child, etc. can receive mental health support, regardless of their income.”
- Latrece Walker, Administrative Assistant and Internal Small Group Facilitator
“Free mental health sessions are important to me because regardless of financial situations, people deserve access to support and healing. These funds towards mental health support can literally save lives.”
-Tatiyahna Richardson, MSW, LCSW, Mental Health Clinician and Parent Educator
Here is feedback from one of the families who benefited:
" I would like to express how much gratitude I have for the assistance and kindness of those who donated. Due to that simple act of generosity, I have been able to continue my visits which are allowing me to grow and heal. My insurance was charging me over $150/visit and that was just not affordable for me. I came to Equal Shares because I wanted to better my mental health. I was in disarray with my mind and emotions. To be honest, I still am....but not as much as I was when I first sought help. Equal Shares has done what 35 years of talking, ignoring, journaling and crying; has not. It has altered my outlook and perspective. If no one else has told you, then please allow me to be the initial THANK YOU! What you do not only matters, it truly changes lives and may also save them”
We have a policy that no one who cannot afford to pay will be denied services if we have the capacity to take them on. As a solo owner, I do NOT have the capacity to offer these services for free…but with my village behind me, I KNOW I CAN!
Send me a gift today, and I will pay it forward tomorrow!
Sincerely,
Trecia
