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BETTY'S BLOGBETTY ALVAREZ HAM,
PRESIDENT OF CITY IMPACT |
 Dear Friends,
Last week, I had a conversation with a close friend who is a clinical therapist. She asked me how City Impact staff was doing in light of our work with “at-risk and high-risk” students and families in our community. She mentioned that suicide is the 10th-leading cause of death in the United States. In fact, 48,000 Americans die by suicide every year. The uncertainty brought on by the pandemic could have a profound impact on people's mental health—leading to increased feelings of anxiety and depression. Millions of people have lost their jobs; some have lost their homes or businesses. At the same time, isolation could compromise one’s emotional health. My heart was breaking as we shared stories of the difficulties so many are experiencing at this time. I reached for one of Max Lucado’s books entitledUnshakeable Hope in which he writes: “We are building our lives on the promises of God! Because his Word is unbreakable, our hope is unshakable. We do not stand on the problems of life or the pain in life We stand on the great and precious promises of God.” I can tell you that God will never abandon his promise to take care of us. We should not base the presence of problems as the absence of God. God has promised, “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” He is with us. He is for us. He offers us peace in the face of uncertainty, and hope in exchange for hopelessness. Yes, we are experiencing unprecedented times – but our God is faithful. Let’s turn to Him today and every day. Thank you for your continued love, financial support and prayers. In His love, Betty Alvarez Ham President P.S. Support us when you shop smile.amazon.com/ch/77-0388915 for gifts and more and Amazon donated to City Impact. |
