DePaul Community Resources Annual Report 2023

You Made It Possible

For the second year in a row, the E. C. Wareheim Foundation has awarded DePaul’s Independent Living (IL) Program $20,000 to support young adults aged 18 to 21 who have aged out of foster care. Our IL program provides these young adults an apartment supervised by DePaul staff where they receive needed support and guidance as they obtain higher education and/or employment in preparation for independence. These young adults have experienced hardships in the foster care system and the majority endured past trauma. Without a permanent family home and the opportunities needed to succeed, they are at an increased risk of devastating outcomes, including homelessness, substance abuse, violence, and incarceration. DePaul’s IL program improves the odds for young adults and gives them the tools they need to achieve their goals. The William Dean Charitable Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee awarded $10,000 to DePaul for Equine-Assisted Therapy (EAT) for children and individuals with disabilities. EAT is an evidence-based method of treatment for individuals with mental, emotional, or behavioral health issues, as well as physical conditions and disabilities. Working with and riding horses therapeutically improves motor function, strength, and coordination and has numerous psychological benefits including increased self-esteem, confidence, communication, and feelings of competency. EAT is proven to be life-changing for individuals with disabilities struggling with physical, behavioral, and emotional challenges, and foster and adoptive youth who experienced past trauma and are not responding to traditional talk therapies.

Scan for donor listings and additional Annual Report content

12 | depaulcr.org/annualreport