Sinatra Children's Center

By William N. Osterman

You will never get poor by giving to charity.

This expression has been a guiding force in my life, particularly my involvement with the Barbara Sinatra Childrenís Center at Eisenhower. There is perhaps no greater impact that philanthropy can have than on the life of a child suffering from abuse or neglect.

Think about it. Children are full of hope and dreams about their futureÖuntil abuse rears its ugly head. In addition to physical scars, abuse can leave a child with emotional shrapnel that shatters belief in themselves and the world around them. Children often blame themselves for abuse; the shame and self-hatred can be debilitating and may lead to substance abuse, alcoholism, eating disorders, self-mutilation, truancy, psychiatric disorders, illegal activities and health problems. Abused children and teenagers themselves often become abusers.

But intervention can change all that. With appropriate counseling, the devastating cycle of generation-to-generation abuse can be stopped. Children can reclaim their childhood and grow up to become responsible parents and productive members of society. And each of us can help make this happen.
Now, during Child Abuse Awareness Month, I appeal to you to support programs like those at the non-profit Barbara Sinatra Childrenís Center that provide counseling for abused children and their families. At the Sinatra Center, no child is turned away due to inability to pay for services, and the average cost of counseling a child is approximately $5,500 a year (86 percent of which is derived from charitable gifts).

Itís a small price to pay for altering the course of a young lifeÖand those of generations to come.William Osterman is President of the Board of the non-profit Barbara Sinatra Childrenís Center at Eisenhower, a national leader in counseling sexually, physically and emotionally abused children and breaking the generational cycle of abuse.