December 2023 Dear friend, It’s the holiday season. Have you taken time to stop, and reflect on what you’re thankful for yet? Perhaps it’s spending quality time with family and friends…the security of your home…the food that nourishes you…a job you love. For clients at Eyerly Ball, I can tell you, they are grateful for the incredible care team and treatment plans that give them a safe space to heal. Clients like Lawanna. In 2011, Lawanna lost her mother and brother. It was the first time she truly felt alone. Lawanna closed herself off from the world. She stopped trusting her family, friends and community. She would spend her days locked in her room and started to believe that if she laid in bed long enough, she would die. “I felt like I was always living in flight or fight mode,” says Lawanna. “I was fighting to stay alive, but I didn’t know what to do or what I needed to survive.” It wasn’t until she started the Integrated Services Program at Eyerly Ball in 2019 that she realized how depressed and anxious she was. Throughout her health journey, Lawanna was never alone. For more than 50 years, Eyerly Ball has been a leading community mental health provider. Our team is committed to delivering effective mental health services that helps individuals begin to feel whole again. This holiday season you can offer hope and healing to clients in their hardest times. Your gift meets people where they are by providing community-based treatments and programs like the Integrated Services Program.
This program provides clients with an individualized and comprehensive care plan that utilizes tools and resources for individuals to achieve their optimum level of independence and success. For Lawanna, this program gave her a renewed opportunity to open her world up again. “I needed someone to believe in me and now I have a whole team rooting for me,” she says. “They have helped me step outside my comfort zone like getting involved in new activities, meeting new friends and trusting people again. I am slowly finding myself, thanks to them.” This is where your support can be felt. With your commitment, you will extend a helping hand to our team who make it their mission to help every client feel safe and cared for. You can give one of the greatest gifts this holiday season. Every time you give to Eyerly Ball, every dollar – 100% of it – goes directly to helping clients like Lawanna. Mental illness is one of the biggest health issues facing our community. One in five Iowans struggle with a mental illness, yet less than half are seeking treatment. This holiday season, will you help these individuals get the help they need? While Lawanna continues to find strength throughout her care journey, she is comforted knowing she can count on donors like you. “Because of your gift, I am able to feel human again,” says Lawanna. “I have been living in darkness for a long time and your gift has helped me flourish. Thank you for making a world of difference.” Please take a moment and send a special year-end gift now. I know there are many organizations you can give to this holiday season. But please know how much your gift means to those in need of help. With your gift, you will give one of the greatest gifts this holiday season: hope and healing. Thank you,
Cynthia Steidl Bishop CEO, Eyerly Ball Community Mental Health Services
DONATE ONLINE:
bit.ly/EBHOLIDAYWISHES
P.S. Your support can make a big impact. One in five Iowans struggle with mental illness, yet less than half are receiving the care they need. Your gift is life-changing. Please scan the QR code or use the enclosed response card and the envelope provided to make your year-end tax-deductible gift today by December 31. Thank you!
