December Newsletter Update from CFR's Advancement Team

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The Season of Giving: Making Mental Health Accessible Together

Close your eyes for a moment: it’s a chilly evening in December. The air is filled with the scent of pine, the warm glow of lights, and the sound of laughter shared with loved ones.

Now imagine someone—perhaps your neighbor, your coworker, or even a family member—quietly navigating the complexities of mental health challenges. What if, in that moment, they knew they had access to expert care that could change their life?

That’s the gift you give when you support Council for Relationships (CFR).

Continuing a Legacy of Accessible Mental Health Care

As a nearly century-old nonprofit, CFR has been a keystone in the mental health field, carving the path for family therapy under the visionary leadership of our founder, Emily Mudd. Today, we’re proud to continue her legacy by offering accessible, expert therapy in person across eight office locations and virtually for even broader reach.

While CFR operates as a fee-for-service therapy nonprofit, our ability to make therapy affordable and accessible to everyone—including those who need sliding scale fees—is made possible by generous individuals, corporations, and foundations who believe in us. Your support ensures no one is turned away because of financial hardship.

Celebrating Milestones Made Possible by You

This year, thanks to your generosity, we’ve celebrated incredible milestones that reflect the power of giving:

• A $20,000 grant from the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation: This transformative funding will expand our Postgraduate Certificate Program in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) for 16 clergy members in Philadelphia. As Program Director Rev. Dr. Dolores (Dee) E. Littleton, LMFT, shared, “This grant has been a blessing for our clergy programs and students, empowering them with skills for pastoral, therapeutic, and organizational excellence.”
• The Diversity Scholarship for Emerging Clinicians: Made possible by the Hearst Foundations, this scholarship supports individuals from marginalized communities as they work toward careers in mental health. Clinical Interns Kathy O’Hearn and Davina Scott are the two inaugural recipients helping to build a more equitable future for our field.
• A $657,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency: This investment supports Dr. Sara Corse and her Community Partnerships Initiative (CPI) team, allowing us to extend our reach into schools and neighborhoods across Philadelphia. This partnership showcases the state’s belief in our work and its impact.

Honoring the CFR Team

These accomplishments wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of our talented therapists, psychiatrists, students, and administrative staff. At a recent appreciation event, generously supported by the Green Family Foundation, we came together to celebrate this team, who carry the weight of this work with grace and perseverance. It’s an honor to walk this path alongside them.

How You Can Make a Difference

As we embrace the spirit of giving this holiday season, I invite you to donate today. Every gift—no matter the size—helps us continue to provide life-changing care to those who need it most. With your support, we can ensure that cost is never a barrier to receiving expert mental health care.

Your gift changes lives. Click here to donate now and help us make therapy accessible for all.

Thank You for Being Part of the CFR Community

Thank you for being part of our story, our mission, and our community. Together, we’re creating brighter tomorrows, one connection at a time.

Warm wishes,

Jason Anhorn (he/him/his)

Chief Advancement Officer

Council for Relationships

P.S. Check out our 2023-2024 Impact Report. You make these accomplishments—and so much more—possible. Click here to donate today.

More from CFR

Explore Our Professional Development Offerings

All of CFR’s Professional Development workshops are available on our website here. If you have any questions about our workshops or want more information, please contact Kristine Seitz at kseitz@councilforrelationships.org.

CFR Therapists Are Available

If you or someone you know could benefit from individual, couples, or family therapy, contact us to get matched with a CFR Therapist or Psychiatrist. We’re here to support you on your journey to healing and growth.

Help Us Build on This Success

Your donation will help us continue providing high-quality professional development opportunities for our clinicians, ensuring they remain equipped to meet the complex needs of our community with cultural humility.

Donate today and help us continue advancing the mental health care field.

Thank you for supporting CFR and for prioritizing your mental health.