I am Monica Navarro, a member of the Southwest Counseling Solutions Board.  I became involved in Southwest Solutions five years ago. 

As a lawyer practicing health law in Michigan, I can tell you that mental health is the stepchild of our healthcare system.  It requires more support and advocacy than any other branch of our health system. 

Knowing that you can't prosper and raise a family without good mental health, I was happy when John called me and invited me to take a tour in southwest Detroit. There are probably a lot of us who are here today because of one of John's tours!
 
During my tour, what really jerked my heart strings was the family literacy program.  The room was full of grown women, all struggling to learn English and working so hard at it.

The experience took me back 25 years and my eyes welled up with tears.  You see, I did not speak English when I came to this country. So that could have been me or my mother in there.

I could see the potential and possibilities in those women's voices and in their teacher.  And that was a very personal and powerful experience for me.

From that moment forward, I knew that I wanted to have a role in making a brighter future possible for these women and their children.  And that is why I am here today.
 
When you came here today, most of you did not know exactly what we were going to ask in terms of your financial support. 

You probably came because a friend invited you or because you already are familiar with our organization. 

But now that you've heard the Southwest Solutions story and met some of our wonderful people, it's my privilege to ask you to make a financial investment in this organization’s mission.

This is not just an investment in Southwest Solutions, it truly is an investment in our own future and in Detroit’s future.  And I believe that it is one of the most important investments that any of us can make.
 
So when we looked at what we wanted to ask you, we decided to request what we is needed most:  Financial support for our day-to-day operations.  

Without question, there are thousands of parents and children in Detroit - just like Lizette - who need our help to find the path to academic success. 

Without questions, there are thousands of veterans - like Roger - who need our help to reconnect with society and rebuild their lives.
 
To build a stronger foundation for expanding these programs that put people on the path to independence and well being, we would like to invite you to join our Community Builder’s Society. 

This Society has been in existence for five years and has helped raise nearly one million for programs. 
 
And to give you a sense of what your contributions would do, I’d like the Table Captains to pass out the pledge sheets so I can explain them to you:

Starting at the top of the sheet, the Community Builders Society contains pledge levels that are in some way symbolic, but which also represent the real costs of providing our programs.

The first giving level is $1,000 each year for five years. 

It costs us $5 a day to help one family learn during early grades how to succeed in school and envision a college education. 

Each $1,000 gift will help hundreds of parents put their children on a path to college by teaching them how to champion education, instead of being bystanders. 

These children would earn $25,000 per year more than the children who take the more predictable path of dropping out.
 
Or perhaps you would consider a gift of $10,000 each year for five years,

If so, you will allow us to provide the childcare, tutoring, and transportation needed to enable at least 5 GreenWorks trainees to keep full-time jobs. 

This investment would enable each of those 5 to earn an average income of $25,000 per year and to establish a work history on which to base a career.  

If you are a part of a company or a foundation, or are in a position to give more.

Please consider a gift of $25,000 a year for five years.

That gift will have a major impact on Southwest Solutions’ ability to provide housing for approximately 75 of the 3,000 veterans that are homeless today.

If you are willing to join today as a member of the Community Builders Society, I give you my personal thanks for your generous support.

If instead you prefer to give at a different level, then the next line is for you.  On this line please tell us how much you would like to give and for how many years.

We truly appreciate whatever level of support you can provide and we ask that you make the first payment on your pledge today. 

Or perhaps you would like to consider a gift of stock or something else. 

Or, you simply have some great ideas for us. 

If so, please check the next box; the one that says, “Please contact me, I have other thoughts to share.”

And if you are not ready to make a gift today, but would like to be on our mailing list, take a bus tour, partner with our agency, or volunteer in any way, please check the appropriate box and fill out your contact information so we can match you up in accordance with your interest.

Now I know that many of you are still writing, but, if I could have your attention here for just a moment.

It’s important that you really hear what I’m about to say. 

Whatever gift you have chosen to make today – whether as a member of the Community Builder’s Society or at a different level, I sincerely thank each and every one of you for giving us the gift of your valuable time to attend today.

On behalf of the wonderful people and community that we serve, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.