MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT

Dear Friends:

For 60 years, City Youth Now has been dedicated to serving San Francisco's abused, neglected, and forgotten children. This past year, more than any other, children in the foster care and juvenile justice systems have experienced the negative effects of budget cutbacks and program setbacks. These reductions have impacted health services, group home funding, foster family services, and support for youth transitioning out of the foster care system.

In 2009 and so far in 2010, City Youth Now is responding to the needs of youth in the system as economic setbacks diminished their access to programs, support and funding assistance. City Youth Now worked closely with the San Francisco Juvenile Probation Department and Woodside Learning Center to assist detained youth in the completion of their studies, GED exams, and online college courses while detained. City Youth Now rekindled connections with community based organizations to better serve youth in the Juvenile Court System.

We know that our success as an organization is entirely dependent upon individual donors and foundations who invest in the future of San Francisco's forgotten children by providing them with the opportunity to excel in school, experience new opportunities, transition confidently to adulthood, or snuggle a teddy bear during a traumatic time. Today, youth in the foster care and juvenile justice systems need your help.

Best,
John Jack Gallagher
President, Board of Directors