A Message from Dr. David Anderson, Executive Director
School is right around the corner, and here at LYDIA we’re preparing for what could be our best year yet. I say that because of the incredible ways God is blessing our ministry to children. Even as we feel stretched to the limit of our emotions and financial resources, He continues to bring more and more children to us for spiritual, physical and emotional care. Thankfully, God’s resources are as infinite as His love for these kids. We’re counting on that!

We’re also counting on you. Your generosity is an integral part of our success in ministering to children, whether you are helping us pay for school supplies for our foster kids or funding a scholarship for one of the students at LYDIA Urban Academy. So much needs to be done for these kids, and there is so much we want to do. I’ve included a list of immediate needs for the fall, and I hope you’ll respond generously. God is changing lives through us and through you. Thank you for persevering with us!


Back-to-School Wish List
Your gift to LYDIA can help us kick off a great school year for the children we serve! Donations are tax deductible and can be made through our secure web site at www.lydiahome.org/donate or by mail at 4300 West Irving Road, Chicago, IL 60641. Questions? Please contact Cindy Loacker, Director of Church and Community Relations, at or (773) 736-1447, ext. 304.


Residential Treatment
$250 School uniforms for one child, including shoes and outerwear

Foster Care Program
$60 One backpack filled with school supplies for a LYDIA foster child

LYDIA Urban Academy
$25 One book for the Urban Academy’s new library. If you prefer to purchase a book yourself, please visit our list of suggested titles at www.lydiahome.org/library
$1,500 Full scholarship for one student to attend LYDIA Urban Academy for a year

Virtuous Reality (Abstinence Education Program)
$32 Our cost for one student to participate in LYDIA’s eight-week abstinence education course or attend an all-school abstinence rally
$700 Color copier to create high-quality materials for classroom use
$1,800 Digital video camera to record classroom presentations for training purposes
$3,400 Laptop and projector for classroom presentations

Update from Rockford Urban Academy
Total enrollment at Urban Academy in Rockford is 24 students. 92% of the students are Special Education students, 80% live below poverty level, and three are teen parents. However, this year the average grade level increased in reading 1.67 and in math 2.67!

Virtuous Reality Wants You!
Virtuous Reality, LYDIA’s abstinence education program, shared the truth about abstinence with 2,500 students at 25 local schools last year. Here is what just a few eighth graders had to say about this program:

“I think every person in the world should be abstinent before marriage in order to reach their goals. Thank you for teaching me and my classmates.”
— Caitlin

Some of the things I learned through this program have helped me set a course for my life by making me better informed. I think that by knowing my options I can make better choices. Thank you for making a difference.
— Andrew

“The abstinent classes made me think about my future goals. I realized that waiting for someone you love and are going to marry is better then giving it up to someone you just think you love. It’s worth waiting for.”
— Jose

With feedback like this, it’s no wonder our staff has big plans to expand Virtuous Reality. To do that, they need volunteers to serve as classroom educators! If you are a good communicator and enjoy working with youth, please contact Melody LaLuz, Abstinence Education Director, by email at or by phone at (773) 259-9187. Volunteers with office skills are also needed at Virtuous Reality’s 4839 West Irving Park Road location. Thank you!

Be Part of the Gala Excitement!
Our Annual Benefit Gala takes place on December 4, and we want you to be part of this event’s success! 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;
• Donating items or cash for our Silent Auction.
• Asking your employer to make a corporate donation to LYDIA.
• And, most importantly, planning to attend the event.

To learn more, please contact Erica Postma, Associate Director of Development, by email at or call (773) 736-1447, ext. 249.

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 in the following categories:

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

In addition, we are hoping that friends of the ministry will underwrite the cookbook’s printing costs. Sponsorship levels for publishing the cookbook are $100, $500 and $1,000, and your gift will allow the cookbook’s proceeds to directly benefit the children LYDIA serves.

To submit a recipe, make a donation or learn more about this exciting project, please contact Erica Postma, either by email at , by mail (4300 West Irving Road, Chicago, IL 60641) or by phone at (773) 736-1447, ext. 249. You may 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. The deadline for recipe submission is August 31.