Dear Friends,

How do you like our new website? We have a growing "success" story section located on our home page and a "contact us" section for you to easily reach any staff member for any of your questions or concerns. PayPal can be accessed on our site to help make giving to the agency a little bit easier. I want to thank Yassen Abdul-Baki and Maren Graham who have helped us keep our programs and stories available on the "information highway".

In this new fiscal year we are working very hard to improve systems so that all of our programs and agency services are working as efficiently and as effectively as possible. In July our management staff spent two days doing an analysis of our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for the purpose of refining goals established in our strategic plan and developing new goals to meet the changing needs of our kids. We must also plan for changes coming in the provision of Medicaid services and billing as well as put systems in place for new federal outcome requirements for group homes and transitional living programs.

We have a lot on our plate-more demands with less federal and state funding. Our mantra changes daily from "God will provide" to "This too shall pass". As we prepare for increases in workload and oversight, we are staying focused on our mission to serve our boys and young men to the best of our abilities. Any bureaucratic demand which impairs our ability to provide the greatest care for our kids will be strenuously challenged. Please keep us in your prayers.

I also hope that you will keep the following Jamal Place event dates noted on your calendars. On Saturday, December15 is our 13th Annual Tree Trimming Party at the Group Home located at 1335 S. California Avenue in Chicago. It is always a warm family holiday get-together so we hope that you will join us. We are changing the format of our annual benefit this year-hosting the event at Zhou B Art Gallery at 1029 W. 35th Street in Chicago. Three artists will be painting during the benefit with their work auctioned at the end of the event. We will have a jazz trio, silent and live auction and our award presentation. This year's event will be catered by Taste America and a wine tasting and scotch presentation will added to the benefit's activities. More information will follow on this important fundraiser for our agency. Lastly, our annual walkathon is scheduled for Saturday, June 21, 2007. We had a great turnout for this year's event and we hope more will join our walk and anniversary picnic next spring.

There are a lot of kids to care for and a lot of items our FY '08 agenda. As always, my staff members, our board of directors and I are grateful for your support and interest in our work. Take a moment to read our success stories-you will see that the contributions of many can really change a life.

Many blessings to you.

Sincerely.

Ann G. Deuel
Executive Director
Jamal Place, Inc.