Last week I posted a message telling about our great shipping and our new shelters, My City Youth Center.  Your response has been amazing.  Many have offered clothing and other help for this shelters; and baby items are pouring in.  I’m sure we will have a good box to ship them before year’s end. 

Remember last year when Sister Anne Kelley of The Good Shepherd Shelter came and spoke to our group at Concepts in Yarn.  She encouraged us to knit for the children who come to the shelters with their (abused) mothers.  She told us she wants more focus on the children as a method to break the cycle of abuse:  a boy learns how to be an abuser by watching his dad or the significant male in his household; a girl learns how to be a victim by watching her mom being abused.  We were dubious that our knitted hats would have the desired impact on the children, but we plunged in, wanting to give it a try.  Last year, we shipped over 1,000 hats to shelters; this year already we have shipped 750.  

Sister Anne saw last week’s note and wrote back the following appreciation.  Here’s what we should have known.  She is responsible for the founding of My City Youth Center!  And she sees our hats and scarves as way of helping the children protected there to feel loved.  She’s so happy with our efforts; and I am too.  Thank you all so much for all your contributions. 

Here’s Sister Anne’s letter: 

WOW, Leslye!  That IS astounding!  You are all amazing!! 

Thanks so much for including us in your thoughtful and generous efforts.  So glad too, to hear about the My City Youth Center!  There is an ever-growing need for these kids.  We started the shelter in an effort to provide early intervention so the kids from abusive homes could get the help they needed before they had to endure another 5-10 years of abuse and finally ran away.  Obviously, there are still a lot out there who need help.    Glad you are a part of making them feel loved. 

All the best!! 

Sr. Anne