A Message from Dr. David Anderson, Executive Director
Welcome to the first issue of LYDIA Today, the enewsletter for friends of LYDIA! You’ll receive this publication periodically to keep you informed about what’s going on here at LYDIA. I hope it gives you a glimpse of how God is using us to serve children and families, and provides a vision of how you might become even more involved with our ministry!

Right now, we’re thanking God for:

• A very successful horse auction at Salem Ranch, which brought in more $70,000. Salem Ranch is our Christian boarding school for troubled boys, and enrollment is currently at 31, a number that exceeds our expectations.
• Generous grants that were recently awarded to LYDIA from the Circle of Service Foundation, HSBC - North America, Polk Bros. Foundation, W.K. Kellogg Foundation and W.P. & H.B. White Foundation.
• Our foster care program, which is on target in its efforts to place children in permanent homes, either with an adoptive family or back with a biological parent.
• The 32 families from the Evangelical Free Church of Naperville, Ill., who are interested in becoming Safe Families volunteers.

This month, we’re grieving the loss of a great friend, Ken Randall. Ken lived at LYDIA for many years as a child, and to show his appreciation for the impact LYDIA had on him, spent the rest of his life on our Board of Directors and as a sacrificial supporter. Ken recently went to be with the Lord, leaving behind an incredible heritage. Thanks, Ken.

Please pray with us that:

• Our abstinence education program will receive a significant federal contract this fall, allowing us to expand to more Chicago-area schools.
• We will find a sufficient number of volunteer families to meet the growing demand for our Safe Families program.
• We would find the right foster homes for the boys and girls who remain in our residential program simply because there are no families for them to live with.

Thanks for being part of God’s work here at LYDIA!



Life Change at Camp
“God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees and flowers and clouds and stars.” — Martin Luther

LYDIA’s Residential Treatment facility is a place where kids heal, but the process is always painful. A change of scenery can be medicine for the soul, as we discovered when LYDIA staff took all 41 residents (ages 7-17) to Covenant Harbor, a Christian camp in Lake Geneva, Wis., during spring break this year.

For three days, kids and staff participated in activities that included a high- and low-ropes course, archery, arts and crafts, hikes and more. Group therapy took place around a bonfire, as staff shared their own stories and taught on biblical themes. Slowly, barriers came down, and kids began to let go of their hurts and pray for their families. On the last night, 17 responded to an altar call and accepted Christ as their Savior.

The experience was so meaningful and life changing for these kids that we’d like to take them again at the end of the summer. But it’s expensive! If you are able to give toward our goal of raising $6,500, please contact Kristin Etter, Development Associate, at or (773) 736-1447, ext. 223. Thank you!


“We got to do a lot of cool stuff that we never did before.” — Shonda, 10

“The staff treated us extra special and gave us a lot of love.” — Anthony, 14

“Do I want to go back to Covenant Harbor? YES!!” — Chantale, 11

The Gala is Coming!
Mark your calendar and plan to attend our 2006 Annual Benefit Gala on December 4. This year’s theme is “A Legacy of Love.”

We need your help to make this event our most successful yet. Please consider:

• Serving as a table host by inviting 10 friends to attend;
• Being an event sponsor by making a gift of $500; $1,000; $2,500; $5,000; $10,000; or more;
• Or donating items or cash for our Silent Auction.

If interested, please contact Erica Postma, Associate Director of Development, at (773) 736-1447, ext. 249 or .

Calling All Cooks!
Plans are underway for a LYDIA Cookbook! It will commemorate LYDIA’s 90th year, raise money for the ministry and share the LYDIA story with people across the country. We hope you will participate by submitting some of your favorite recipes. Recipe submissions in the following categories are welcome:

• Entrees
• Appetizers
• Soups & Salads
• Beverages
• Desserts
• Kid-friendly entrees and desserts

The deadline for submission is July 15, 2006. Please submit recipes in whatever format you prefer, whether photocopied from a recipe card, handwritten on a piece of paper or typed out in an email. All recipes can be sent to Erica Postma, either by email or mail 4300 West Irving Road, Chicago, IL 60641. Questions? Call Erica at (773) 736-1447, ext. 249. Thank you!

The Local Community Connection
Local churches and organizations help spread the word about LYDIA, provide volunteers and contribute financially to the ministry. Would you help us by serving as a liaison to your church or organization? We’ll provide you with the materials you need to share LYDIA’s story, or we can arrange to have a representative from LYDIA speak to your church or group. If you can help, please contact Cindy Loacker, Director of Church and Community Relations, at (773) 736-1447, ext. 304 or

What Your Gift Can Do
When you give to LYDIA, you are making a difference in the lives of children who have been hurt, abused, neglected and — in many cases — taken away from their parents. Your gift is really an investment in their future, and a demonstration of Christ’s love to those in need. Your generosity will make a difference today and for generations to come!

Each year we must raise about $1.2 million to help pay for LYDIA’s many services, including Residential Treatment for the 40-plus children who live at our facility in Chicago. Our fiscal year ends June 30, and we need to bring in $400,000 by that date to meet our budgeted needs. What part will you play in helping us end the year with all bills paid and start the new year strong? We are counting on your generosity!

Many giving options exist, and most provide attractive tax benefits. Please consider:

• Donating cash, whether by mail, phone or our web site, www.lydiahome.org
• Making a gift of appreciated stock or real estate;
• Asking your employer to match your gift to LYDIA;
• And/or including LYDIA in your estate plan, which allows you to leave a legacy to the children of LYDIA.

Questions? Please contact Nancy Good at or (773) 736-1447, ext. 256.