Lifetrack Resources

. This is a very well run organization that has weathered significant cutbacks in funding from government resoiurces. Yet it has agressively maintained its zeal and morale and focus on its mission. In fact, it is in the process of a growth plan to extend services to highly at risk preschool children who are underserved in the community.

Each year Lifetrack Resources' talented staff and committeed volunteers and partners reach out to nearly 11,000 people. Their efforts are responsible for helping families have reliable income, openning the world of learning to troubled and abused children, giving parents new hope and new skills in nuturing their children and helping people with disabilities strength and reclaim their abilities. Increased website capacity and effectiveness will allow even more individuals and families whose lives could be changed by knowing there are people such as the Lifetrack team ready to help them on their own journey of success. Additionally being able to upgrade the website as an educatonal and resource tool in its own right will have a powerful impact on expanding the reach of Lifetrack's mission of service.

Lifetrack Resources is a highly effective organization that helps people move toward full participation in the community. Reflecting its diverse client population, the staff at Lifetrack Resources includes people who speak over 20 languages other than English at home. Lifetrack has the capability of teaching work-readiness and job-seeking skills and offering practical work experience at the Packaging First business facility to a broad cross-section of the community. Similarly, Lifetrack has singular expertise in the St. Paul and Ramsey County in providing a therapeutic pre-school experience for children who have experienced far too much trauma in their young lives. The gains these children make, together with their parents in many cases, in becoming ready to tackle kindergarten are truly remarkable. It is gratifying to work with such a well-run, efficient organization and its dedicated staff. An updated website would help more people know about the services Lifetrack provides, whether they need one of the services or are looking for a vital community organization to support.

I have been a volunteer at Families Together "a therapeutic preschool program of Lifetrack Resources" for almost four years. I began my volunteering just after I retired in March, 2004. I spend about 1½ hours, one day a week, with the children in their classroom. I also have joined the class on various field trips over the years. My time is usually spent playing with the kids. It is really fun for me to see the growth in their ability to get along with each other, adapt to classroom group activities, and the improvement in their communication skills. The growth takes time, but it happens! I am continually impressed with the quality of the staff at the Families Together program. I see a true and dedicated commitment to the lives of each of the children. The kids are an active bunch with a lot of dynamics going on at any one time! I am continually amazed at the ability of the teachers to go with the flow and still take advantage of those teachable moments. I can tell that the teachers are well trained and have a heart for these kids. Besides being in the classroom, the children have specialists that work with them on an individual basis during their time at class. I see the excitement in the children when the specialists come to get them for some individual time. Volunteering has been a very good experience for me! I've learned a lot, met some super kids and staff, and had fun. My hope is that in some little way I have made a positive impact on the lives of these kids. In my opinion, the Families Together program is extremely high quality. Those that take advantage of the program are very fortunate. I totally believe that it is wise to direct resources to this program so that it will continue to thrive.

I have worked at Lifetrack Resources for the past seven years as a manager in employment services. Lifetrack Resources is a strong agency with exceptional staff members and excellent leadership. Lifetrack Resources has a culturally diverse staff that speak more than 20 different languages. We are a strong agency serving more than 10,000 clients each year in the areas of employment, therapies, and our much needed theraputic preschool for high-risk children. Increased website effectiveness and capacity will allow even more families to learn about the excellent services at Lifetrack Resources. An upgrade to the website will have a strong impact on expanding the mission of Lifetrack Resources.

I have been a member of the Lifetrack Board of Directors for over seven years. During this period of service I have been very impressed with the staff and the mission that they perform. Besides performing important services such as employment and therapies they perform a very important function in the area of early childhood and family services. The latest initiative in the early childhood area is expected to provide return on investment over the lifetime of the program of at least 16 times the dollars invested in teaching young at-risk disadvantaged children.