Dear Friends,
The recent economic downturn has been devastating for many families in Washington. Families that had always enjoyed financial security now find themselves depleting their savings to meet basic needs. And families that were struggling prior to the downturn are now making do with a tattered safety net of government and community-based programs.
Families in need have discovered that the public programs they had counted on for help are overwhelmed with the current demand for services. In the face of significant budget cuts, many have reduced or eliminated services, leaving families with nowhere to turn for help.
WithinReach’s unique services and expertise has served Washington families well in this new reality. In 2010, we helped over 218,000 families take the first step towards health and economic security by serving as a single point of contact to health coverage, food assistance and other essential social services.
Since the beginning of the downturn, private and public institutions have increasingly looked to us for guidance and invited us to collaborate with them to develop streamlined and innovative solutions that address the most common barriers to health families face.
As both a mom and a public health professional, I know how important access to financial, health and social resources are for a family’s well-being. Today, we understand so much more how stress impacts our health. The fact that having access to these essential resources and knowing that help is within reach can reduce stress and alleviate hardship on multiple levels: for individuals, families and communities. The stories shared in this report reflect this current reality for thousands of families in Washington. In one of the most moving stories, Maisy and Shaun, the parents of three young children, recount how unexpected financial hardship led them to WithinReach. With our help, they got connected to basic resources such as food and health insurance which gave them great relief and hope for a better future.
It is this hope for families that drive us in our work and we are grateful for the many individuals and organizations that have partnered with us in 2010. It is with your support and engagement that we are able to help Washington families build the healthiest future possible for their children.
Our sincerest thanks,
Crystal Tetrick
Board President