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 2023 reACHYou’re Building Brighter Tomorrows

Board of DirectorsAnna Alvarado, SecretaryToby Ardoyno Sarah BennettHenry Borbolla Linda Christie Katie Ciccarino Delynn Crofford Tom Harris Tim Harvard Barry Kromann, Treasurer Farah LawlerChris Mesa Karen MorganLynn NewmanMike ParksSavannah PetronisAlan ShipmanSara VargasKyle Whitaker, Chair Foundation Board MembersRickey BrantleyLinda ChristieChad ClineBob FergusonMelinda JohnstonTruitt KimbroughBarry KromannJaneen LamkinFred Moore, ChairPeter Philpott Community Ambassador Advisory CouncilMargaret AugustatKaren BarlowAlysa DennettVivian FergusonMissy JohnsKelly KellerSandi KennedyBarry KingCindy LevelJudy MayoSuzanne TuckerLindy WilliamsDear Friend,Yes. That simple little word can accomplish so much. Whether we’re saying “yes” to finally completing that lengthy list of chores around the house or agreeing to a much bigger commitment, the word is a powerful one.The fact that friends like you show up, again and again, to say a resounding “yes” to supporting the mission of ACH Child and Family Services makes amazing things happen... Because you do, we can say “yes” to providing critical care and support to children, youth and families. And families can say “yes” to opening their hearts and homes to children in foster care. Children in foster care can say “yes” to a whole new world of possibilities, and hopeful futures.In this summer edition of reACH, I hope you’ll enjoy reading about how your “yes” has reached all the way to families like Heather and Dave’s —giving them the confidence to say an emphatic “YES” to three amazing sisters.At ACH, we never take your “yes” for granted. Every gift you make is treasured and truly makes a profound impact on the lives of children, youth and families across our community. Thank you for your “yes.” Sincerely, Wayne Carson, Ph.D.Chief Executive Officer "There are more than 10,000 children in North Texas in need of foster care."page 2Our Mission PROTECTING CHILDREN. PRESERVING FAMILIES. SINCE 1915.

Sisters *Amy, Bella and Carrie came to our Wedgwood residential campus traumatized to the point that they could not live with their family. They entered the Wedgwood Transitional Living Program-Morris Home, which helps teens like them prepare for independent living. Still, Amy initially cursed at staff, destroyed parts of the residence and even required short-term hospital stays.Bella was nearly 18 years old when she first arrived, but had little, if any, basic life skills. She was suicidal and experiencing hallucinations, hiding herself in dark rooms where she heard voices that told her to end her life.Jean Christenberry first became introduced to the work of ACH Child and Family Services more than 30 years ago — she and her husband of 40 years, Perry, have been involved with ACH’s mission ever since.The couple met in college while working on social work degrees. Both went on to become child and family therapists — which is what eventually led Jean to ACH.Around 1990, Jean worked with a child who was a resident at one of the ACH campuses. Jean was so impressed with the scope of care provided for each child that she began working with ACH as a contract therapist. Because the sisters came from an environment without supervision, Carrie had an especially hard time trusting adults.Today, Amy is a high school graduate and did well in her first semester of college. She has completely turned her life around. Bella has kept the same job for several months, smiles a lot more and has continued to engage in Life Skills classes.Carrie has improved both academically and behaviorally. She gravitates toward adults who challenge her, and staff no longer receive calls from her school about poor behavior.Thanks to generous donors like you, Amy, Bella and Carrie had a “We have always been amazed at the child and family centered perspective that ACH embodies,” Jean says.Though both Jean and Perry later shifted careers, ACH’s mission has remained a part of the couple’s ongoing focus and where they give generously of their time and resources.“We like being a part of ACH because their programs are progressive,” Perry says. “They are always growing and looking for new ways to serve kids and families, and all the staff genuinely care about the kids.”“We recommend that people visit and tour ACH and see for themselves what’s being done,” Jean encourages. “It’s an amazing place.”YOU BRING SISTERS Safety and HopeCouple Encourages SUPPORT FOR ACHcaring place to go where they felt safe, encouraged and hopeful. Thank you for making programs like this possible so more young people have somewhere to turn instead of the streets.*Names changed to protect privacy."We have always been amazed at the child and family centered perspective that ACH embodies."

/ACHchildandfamily /ACHchildfamily ACHservicesorg/achchildandfamilyHeather and Dave couldn’t know every possible challenge that might come with adoption. But with confidence in the support of friends like you and an immediate love for three sisters in need of a family, the couple began that journey.“With our girls, it wasn’t just one immediate "yes" and we were matched,” Heather recalls. After the couple’s initial "yes" to pursuing the adoption of Abigail, Emmaline and Ava Grace, Heather and Dave received word that two of the girls have DiGeorge syndrome, a chromosomal deletion which can result in poor development of several body systems.“We prepared our hearts for what it could mean raising girls with DiGeorge,” Heather says. “We were willing to go beyond what was expected and committed to saying "yes" for our girls again.”Thanks to generous friends like you, the family wasn’t alone throughout the transition from the first moment Heather and Dave met the girls to the day the siblings finally arrived in their home. The couple continues to utilize training received through ACH, such as Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI) which helps Heather and Dave clearly communicate expectations to the girls, prepare each child for what comes next and offer choices to empower their children.“ACH helped us fill our toolbox for the unknowns that come with adoption, and we felt more prepared to welcome our girls home,” Heather shares.By saying “yes,” Dave and Heather proudly say all three girls are now loving, affectionate and full of hope and joy.Community Leaders Collaborate with ACHApril was National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and this marks the 13th year ACH has raised awareness of this cause through the Lend a Hand luncheon. Last year in Tarrant County, 5,506 children were confirmed victims of child abuse and neglect. This many children needing help to recover from unspeakable trauma is beyond the scope of any one organization. That’s why ACH partners with so many other organizations who bring needed services in so many areas.And it’s why this year’s event featured a panel discussion focused on the importance of “Supporting Children by Supporting Families,” led by Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker and ACH CEO Wayne Carson. Our panelists were Julie Evans, Executive Director of Alliance for Children, Susan Garnett, Chief Executive Officer of MHMR Tarrant County, April Jastrzab, Director of Behavioral Health Social Services for JPS Health Network, and Chief Neil Noakes of the Fort Worth Police Department.More than 200 people joined the movement to help bring awareness to this critical situation. We are grateful for all who attended and for our presenting sponsor, Reliant Energy, as well as our many other sponsors. For more information, visit ACHservices.org/child-abuse-prevention.Equipped to Say"YES, YES AND YES!"“ACH helped us fill our toolbox for the unknowns that come with adoption,and we felt more preparedto welcome home our girls.”