The Best of ECH by Laura Kilcullin, Associate Director of Development

I have worked at ECH for over ten years and in that short amount of time, I have seen the programs evolve and help more children, youth and families. I have seen staff worry about the kids in their care like they are their own and I have seen kids reunite with families. I have seen young people get ready for dances and I have seen staff support kids in their events at school. I have come to work, feeling good about what I do on a daily basis and I have left feeling even better.

As the summer wears on, I see the kids participating in summer program. The whole program is wrapped around the theme, Ready or Not. The kids are learning the importance of relying on themselves and others to move past the things that have happened to them and look forward to a future of hope. To kick off the summer, the Ladies Aid hosted a birthday luncheon for all the kids, complete with a water bottle to use throughout the summer activities and a gift card to McDonalds to help celebrate the end of the summer. The ever popular ropes course will happen soon, showing the kids that they can do more than they think, that they are stronger and can accomplish things they never thought possible.

I am excited about the opening of the new Robert A. Baur Steppingstone Center. The renovation of one of the buildings on campus will help more at risk and homeless youth. Now, all staff for our Steppingstone program will be housed together in one location. The young people will have access to computers for applying for jobs and schools; they will have a central location to go for life skills training; and they will always have someone there to answer their questions and help them move towards independence.

It’d truly a wonderful time at ECH and for over 156, ECH has been providing children, youth and families with opportunities for a future full of hope. I like that I am a part of that hope. I like that my children know that my job is to help others who are in need find hope in their lives. But most of all, I am hopeful for the future of all the children, youth and families. I know if anyone can help them, it is the staff of ECH Every Child’s Hope.