A Message from Dr. David Anderson, Executive Director
Here at LYDIA, we're experiencing a new level of synergy between our programs and the people who make them possible. What do I mean? Well, take a look at Safe Families, which launched about six years ago with just a handful of volunteers. In 2008, 192 new Safe Families volunteers joined the movement, bringing our total to 434, and we placed 399 kids, vs. 210 placed in 2007.

There's also a new level of synergy in our fundraising efforts, thanks to creative volunteers like Dan and Kim Michelson. In 2007, they asked family and friends to sponsor Dan's participation in the New York City Marathon, and used the money to send LYDIA’s 40 Residential Treatment Center kids to camp in March 2008.

We're building off the success of the Michelsons' efforts with Team LYDIA, whose dedicated runners will participate in the Chicago 5K or Half Marathon on September 13. This group, whose motto is "Running to Learn. Learning to Run," will raise money to benefit LYDIA Urban Academy, our alternative high school. To join Team LYDIA or for more information, contact Kelcey Gropp by  or call 773-899-5381.

It's exciting to see God take these kinds of efforts and multiply them to bless the families and children we serve. That's the best kind of synergy of all!

Thank you, Ministry Partners!
Ministry partners like you helped LYDIA end 2008 on budget, no small feat in today's tight economy. In fact, donations well exceeded our year-end $90,000 matching grant opportunity! 2009 promises to be an even busier year than last, as the need for LYDIA services continues to grow. You can help by:

• Making a monthly gift to LYDIA via electronic funds transfer
• Seeing whether your employer offers a corporate matching gift program
• Donating appreciated assets

For more information, please contact Nancy Good, Development Director at 773-653-2252.

Getting the Word Out
Introduce your friends and family to the ministry of LYDIA by bringing them to an Open House and Tour on Thursday, February 19, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. This event, a first for LYDIA, is sponsored by the Chicago Board of Directors and designed to share information about the ministry and how people can become involved as volunteers and donors. It includes a brief presentation, Q&A, and tour, as well as tasty refreshments. Additional Open House events will be held in May and September.

Save the Date for LYDIA's Benefit Gala
This year's Benefit Gala will take place earlier than usual, on November 16, and plans are already underway. We are pleased to announce that Erwin Lutzer, Senior Pastor at The Moody Church in Chicago, will serve as our featured speaker. Dr. Lutzer is an award-winning author of more than 20 books, a celebrated international conference speaker, and the featured speaker on three radio programs: The Moody Church Hour, Songs in the Night, and Running to Win.

Have questions? Need info?
To learn more about:

• The Open House on Feb. 19
• Volunteer and fundraising opportunities

Please contact Erica Postma, Associate Director of Development, by or call 773-653-2249

From the Safe Families Files
It's no exaggeration to say that Safe Families changes lives. Here are two recent examples.

"Alexandra" was struggling with drug addiction and living with her three children in a motel room. People from a church were paying her room charge and urging her to undergo substance abuse treatment. When Alexandra learned that her children could be cared for through Safe Families and that she could get them back any time she wanted, she finally agreed. Alexandra and her children were reunited soon after she successfully completed treatment.

"Michelle" is a 10-year-old autistic girl whose father, an alcoholic, checked himself into a detox and rehab program. The problem was that in his desperation to get better, he neglected to make arrangements for Michelle's care. So, when school got out that day, the school social worker took Michelle to the police station hoping for help. An officer who knew about Safe Families gave us a call. Within an hour, a Safe Families volunteer came to the police station and then cared for Michelle until her father was in a better place to care for her.

Demand for Safe Families continues to grow! For information about becoming a Safe Families volunteer, please contact Heyward Watford by  or call 773-653-2255.

LYDIA's Goods4Good
We're looking for gently used name-brand items (e.g. Burberry, Coach, JCrew, North Face) that you might want to get rid of. Perhaps they are getting in the way in your closet or basement, or perhaps you just consider them "ok" now, but they can be used to make someone else's life better. LYDIA is starting an initiative that caters to the .com era in which we now find ourselves. The name-brand items you donate to us will be sold on eBay. Funds raised will help LYDIA provide programs and services to those we serve. Many people now use online shopping as their primary shopping source. LYDIA is using this reality as an opportunity...an opportunity to make others' lives better...your "Goods" for "Good". You can contact us for more information by  or call 773-653-2200. Let us help you with your spring cleaning. (Due to the nature of online selling, please do keep in mind that the items you donate need to be clean and name-brand clothing, accessories or jewelry.)