Dear Friends,

A few weeks ago I received a letter from one of our graduates.  I was truly touched by how grateful this student was and by how he considers our group as his family.

This student joined Horizons for Youth in the third grade and soaked up absolutely everything he could in our program.  He loved spending time with his mentor.  He participated in our tutoring program every week.  He looked forward to our monthly outings.  His favorite part of our program was the week at Camp Eberhart in Michigan every summer.

This student is now attending a boarding high school out of state.  I have watched him grow and develop over the last eight years, and the difference in his demeanor now is striking as compared to the shy, quiet child who first entered our program.  He is able to carry himself in any situation and adapt to any group of people.  He has confidence in himself and a strong enough commitment to education to have taken the risk of going away to a school where he didn’t know anyone.  He is taking chances and embracing opportunities that he knows will help him to have a promising future.

So many people in the Horizons for Youth community have touched this young man’s life over the years, and I truly believe that his story exemplifies the depth of caring and strength of commitment that our volunteers, donors and staff bring to this organization.  He has told me many times how much this organization has changed his life.  Most recently he sent me this letter, and I wanted to share it with you:

I feel like Horizons is a second home for me because throughout the years you have been like family to my family.  When I had hard times in school, you would be there to support me.  You would come to my basketball games, football games and even come to visit me at my boarding school.  You not only supported me in school, but you helped me at home as well.

Sometimes I think about how my life would be without Horizons. It wouldn’t be the same without your help and support.  There are so many words that I could use to describe how I feel about Horizons being in my life, but the one word that describes it best is that I am “blessed” to have people from Horizons in my life.  Without all of you, it would have been so hard to go through with my education.

I thank everyone at Horizons for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this big family.  I will always remember every moment I have shared with everyone at Horizons.  Horizons will always be a part of my life.  I am grateful and thankful for everything that you have done for me.  The memories, words and moments will always be engraved in my heart.

Thank you for helping to make those memories, words and moments possible for this wonderful young man.  Please consider making a gift to Horizons for Youth so that other children can benefit from our life-changing programs.

Sincerely,

Audrey George

Executive Director