Dear Friends and Supporters,
I remember when I first joined MYSI as President and CEO in 2006. Initially my prayers were only to protect the youth. Nine years later, I have begun to realize how united that we all are: The youth, staff, families, seniors, our partners, the churches, communities, funders and those providing critical services that assist those in need. Today, my prayers continue to call for us to come together and protect one another. I’m blessed that on our 50th year I can reflect back on where we were and where we envision being in the future. I’m proud that fifty years later MYSI has not wavered from providing essential services to help the underprivileged. An anniversary is the time to reflect on where we have been and where we want to go. I would like to take this time to recognize important moments in MYSI history but also look ahead to our exciting future by demonstrating impact, building partnerships, and increasing our outreach to better service the youth, families and seniors of Illinois.
MYSI was initially founded to provide shelter and community resources for homeless adolescents. 50 years later, we have responded to the growing needs of our community by expanding programs and services to include seniors and families. When I took the helms of MYSI, Corporation the initial programs were its Independent Living Option (ILO) and Emergency Shelter-Anchor House. With supporters, partners and friends like you, today, programs and services have expanded to include:
- Six (6) Transitional Living Programs (TLP)
- Independent Living Option (ILO) Program
- Emergency Shelter
- Juvenile Justice Program
- Clinical Services
- Seniors Services
- Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program
- Emergency Food Pantry
The strength and success of the work that MYSI and our staff have been doing for the last 50 years gives us the ability and courage to continue doing that work into the future, and I look forward to it. We’ve proven our ability to not just survive, but to thrive, by reflecting on our past, while envisioning our future.
Sincerely,
Toleda Hart
