How much money have you spent for Christmas presents this year? Once the wrapping paper has been ripped off, the packages torn asunder, and the clothes, toys, and technology put away, what will remain? Will you return to a busy life of frustration, worry, and disappointment because the wonder of the Christmas morning lasts only for so long? Will the children return to fighting, you and your spouse continue your unfinished disagreements, and once again will life steal your joy?
What if you had all the problems and none of the presents? What if Christmas morning you woke up to no tree, no gifts, no lights, no Christmas breakfast, and no smiles. Would you consider Christmas, "The Happiest Time of the Year?"
For many of Encouragers' clients Christmas is not a time of joy, but a time of increased stress and anxiety.
Parents hate that they can not financially afford to buy their children gifts, singles feel more isolated and alone, and deaths that occur during the holiday season are felt deeper than any other time of the year, simply because of the anniversary of their passing happened around the holidays. These are the people who seek counseling services from Encouragers during the holidays.
Recently, a married woman came to Encouragers who is separated from her husband and he is not paying anything toward her and the children's housing. She desperately needs help and emotional support, but does not have any money or affordable insurance. This is where your financial gifts come in.
At Encouragers, we don't turn anyone away because of a lack of finances.
Every penny of your donated gifts goes toward caring for these broken families. They are in need not because they WANT to be in need. Many of our clients are homeless, living on government assistance, food stamps, and are referred from Churches and other community leaders.
Encouragers was founded because there has been a need not attended to. Even though the Affordable Care Act was intended to help people in need, it forced many who had insurance out of the system due to increased copays and unrealistic deductibles. Many of our clients also are Medical referrals through the Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP). IEHP informed us recently that they get over 10,000 requests for services a month and have only 750 Mental Health providers to serve them. This is where Encouragers tries to fill in the gap, but we can not do it alone.
Now that your family gifts are wrapped and under the tree, could you please consider a gift of any size to Encouragers Counseling & Training Centers? We depend on your generosity to supplement the limited resources we have to offer.
42"But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
43 Calling his disciples to him,
Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others."
Mark 12:42-43
Please provide hope and healing for the many hurting families in the Inland Empire, Riverside County, and the Temecula Valley. Even if you have only "two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents," your gift will be cherished and appreciated.
Thank you and Merry Christmas from the Encouragers Team!