Edgewood is the oldest children’s charity west of the Mississippi. One of many Edgewood programs, our residential treatment cottages have been a safety net for San Francisco’s most vulnerable children for more than 155 years. Edgewood provides the last local alternative to a locked psychiatric hospital or out-of county placement for local children with severe psychological and emotional challenges resulting from abuse, neglect, and crisis.

Without additional funding and coordination between city agencies, Edgewood’s residential program will close to San Francisco children on July 1.  

Sample Letter for Campaign

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I'm disappointed that the departments of Human Services, Mental Health and Probation are not coordinated in the way they provide services to high-need kids who require residential treatment at Edgewood. I am also concerned that sustainable funding is not currently in your office's current budget.

Edgewood is part of the fabric of our community. It has been a safety net for San Francisco children for more than 155 years, and now it's residential treatment program is at risk of closing to San Francisco children under your watch.

Edgewood is not a "group home." It's a treatment center for kids who, as a result of abuse and neglect, have severe mental and behavior challenges that prevent them from being in a foster home. Edgewood is an alternative to a locked psychiatric facility, not foster care.

San Francisco is sending many of its most vulnerable kids away to other counties and states. This is deplorable because we know they do better in their own community.

Edgewood will close to San Francisco children on July 1, 2008, if the city does not include sustainable funding in the budget.

I urge you to ensure that sustainable funding for Edgewood's residential treatment program gets added into the budget you submit to the Board of Supervisors.

If we help these children now, when they are young, instead of almost guarunteeing they become homeless, or incarcerated or prematurely dead as young adults, we can give them real hope for a brighter future.

Thank you!

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
May 11, 2008