Dear Friends and Supporters,

We would like to take this opportunity to tell you a little bit about FAVOR, and the Connecticut families we serve. FAVOR was established in 2002 to assist families that have children with behavioral health needs (for more information, please see our web site at: www.favor-ct.org). Our family advocates have a family member that has mental health needs which enables our advocates to share and relate their personal experiences to these families, who often feel alone and frustrated. Our advocates have navigated the system for their own loved ones and are able to give a caregiver's perspective that empowers them to choose providers and services to meet their families' unique needs. Often times the stigma of mental illness prevents families from fully disclosing what life is really like to people outside of the home.

Advocates understand the unique challenges and occasional stigma that are a part of caring for a child with special needs. When caregivers are comfortable enough to give an accurate description of the child's behavior, it gives the advocate the opportunity to develop a plan that is realistic and appropriate. Our dedicated staff focus on the child and family's strengths. The children we serve have a wide range of behavioral health care needs, some as a result of abuse and neglect. Many are born with a genetic predisposition to mental illness. Our advocates take a proactive approach to try and keep children from ending up in prison, residential facilities, and long term hospitalizations when they become adults. Most children can succeed when they are taught how to manage their disabilities, and get a clear understanding of what works for them.

We are posting this to ask for your help with a tax free donation to FAVOR. Currently, we receive funding from public and private agencies. The hardest part of our job is turning families away, or putting them on a waiting list because we are flooded with requests for help. Any donation would be greatly appreciated and put to immediate use to address our ongoing staff needs and capacity challenges. Please help keep the "family advocacy voices" loud and strong for Connecticut's most vulnerable families. Click on the "Donate" button to use your credit card if you'd like to make a secure online donation. Thank you in advance for your generous contribution.

Ted Pappas Board President	Hal Gibber Executive Director