FY 2024
Impact Report

Dear Friend, 

 

Thanks to the unwavering support of donors like you, we can provide essential and affordable counseling and recovery support to those in need. Currently, 40% of our clients utilize state insurance, sliding scale fees, or our Treatment Fund. The repercussions of mental health issues can be profound in children, and it is a growing crisis.  At Positive Directions, we have experienced a 15% increase in our mental health services for children aged twelve to eighteen over the past year. To better meet our community’s needs, we are proactively expanding our services to include youth as young as ten. Our targeted, tailored treatment and resources empower young people to manage their mental health struggles effectively and develop strong coping strategies.

 

In Fiscal Year 2025, we are prioritizing partnerships and programs that directly support youth mental health. Our collaboration with Norwalk Public Schools is providing vital drug and alcohol counseling to high school students, addressing this critical issue head-on. Our summer SMART Recovery group for middle schoolers equipped them with the tools necessary for success as they transitioned to high school. Additionally, programs like 1:1 Peer Support offer teens and young adults valuable alternatives to traditional counseling. Our “Teen Nights Out”—sober social activities for Norwalk teens—have been developed in response to data from our youth surveys, allowing us to effectively tailor strategies to our community's immediate behavioral health needs. Tackling these challenges requires a determined, collective effort from families, counseling professionals, partner organizations, and engaged community members like you. 

 

The rising demand for our services this year underscores the urgency of our mission. Your prompt support is essential for Positive Directions to continue delivering critical clinical, prevention, and recovery services to all members of our community, regardless of their financial situation. With more children facing mental health struggles, we need your support now more than ever. 

 

You can make a donation through our website, and checks can be mailed to Positive Directions, 90 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06880. We also invite you to consider including us in your company’s corporate matching program. Your support, in whatever form it takes, is crucial to our ability to continue serving our community. To learn more about Positive Directions’ impact on the community, please read the enclosed Impact Report.

 

Thank you for being a vital part of our mission. Your past support has been invaluable, making a tangible difference in the lives of many. We look forward to your continued partnership and the impactful changes we can achieve together.

 

Sincerely, 

Vanessa Wilson, LMFT 

Executive Director 

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