Giving For Easter

Dear Friends,

Easter is a season of new beginnings, of re-birth, of overcoming, of triumph over adversity.

Just as Christ rose from the grave, marking triumph over tragedy and bringing us new life, we begin to emerge from a diicult and challenging two years. We are reminded that unemployment and hunger, the threat of homelessness, illness and isolation are just some of the hardships families we serve have faced.
And overcome!

As a child, Samantha lived in a chaotic and traumatic environment. Her parents were methamphetamine users who consistently neglected her basic physical, social, and emotional needs. Before she was 10 years old, Samantha had been removed from her home twice and placed in foster care. During this time, Samantha disintegrated into an emotionally unstable reality. Daily she had to fight with ongoing depression and anger, and was regularly defiant towards any outside authority. She became isolated from family, and could no longer relate effectively with her siblings. At age 12, when a young woman should be separating confidently from her parents and beginning to spread her own wings, Samantha was hopelessly imploding with self-doubt, confusion, and aimless wandering.

Easter is about new beginnings – when we are at our lowest, when we have lost hope, the path forward can seem unbearable. Sometimes we need others to lead the way, to show us how powerful we are on our own.

It was at this crossroads that Samantha willfully entered into the Maryvale Community-Based Mental Health Services to find answers for the dilemma in which she found herself. This step alone was a very courageous act. Samantha took advantage of the safe place her therapist provided to find healing from the multitudes of damaged emotions she struggled with daily. It was during the next two years of working with her therapist and mental health care team and focusing on herself that she gained critical insight and determination that changed the trajectory of her life.

Samantha is now only 14 and taking charge of her dreams and aspirations. Because of her hard work and the dedication of her Maryvale mental health care team, she is able to manage periods of distress and is able to proactively pursue her goals. She has made significant improvements at school and is able to advocate for herself and her educational goals.

Seeing their daughter’s growth inspired her parents to find healing in their own journey. Today, Samantha finds herself successfully reunited with her family at home and aspires to be available to help those who have suffered similar situations. She is truly exceptional.

Samantha’s story is one of redemption that shouts to the world that we do not have to allow our past life experiences to define our future potential. She is a beautiful example of a young person who has prevailed over the suffering in a home filled with neglect, domestic violence, and parental drug abuse.

There is hope beyond tragedy, there is triumph over adversity.

We kindly ask you to consider a gift to Maryvale this Easter season so that we might continue to help children like Samantha and their families to heal and flourish. Your generous and steadfast support helps Maryvale continue to strengthen communities, one child and one family at a time.



Young people like Samantha have hope because of you. Together, we can see light after darkness and face the challenges of each new day.

Blessings,

Steve Gunther, MSW
President & CEO