Endowment Campaign
2005 – 2008

The Michael Carter Lisnow Respite Center, located in Hopkinton Massachusetts, is kicking off its first ever Endowment Campaign. Our goal is to raise three million dollars over the next three years.

The mission of the Center is to create a home away from home for children and adults with disabilities, a place that offers parents time off from the emotional and physical care needed by their children. The Respite Center now provides intensive support services for families including daycare, after school care, overnight respite care and community employment supports. Sharon Lisnow and Mary McQueeney, special education teachers, began working toward fulfilling the dream of The Respite Center in 1994, when we were given a parcel of land on which we built a 6000 square foot home. The home was opened free of debt due to the generosity of community businesses and individuals who shared the dream. The Respite Center is named for Sharon’s son, Michael, who was born 16 weeks premature, weighing just over a pound. As a result of his premature birth, Michael had severe cerebral palsy and was blind. At the age of ten Michael died one year shy of the opening of the center.

Throughout the first ten years of operation we raised over five million dollars, and currently have an annual operating budget of $850,000. In our last year we were able to provide over 63,000 hours of respite for families in need, and opened two additional group homes that provide permanent housing for adults with mental retardation. We continue to run an organization free of debt. Ninety-two percent of every dollar raised is spent on the direct care for our clients. After ten successful years, it is now time to look to the future. The first step toward securing the future of the Respite Center will begin with a three million dollar endowment campaign. The endowment is being managed by The Bank of America, private banking division, in Chicago, Illinois. The account manager is Steven Stein, Senior Vice President.

We would sincerely appreciate you taking a few moments to consider our proposal.

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