Brookwood and the McBirney Family have been together from “the beginning!” My brother, Patrick, was the second citizen to join Brookwood when the mission was launched in 1985. In those early years, Yvonne Streit and her team began working with Patrick and a handful of other young adults with special needs. Together, they were determined to discover what was possible even in the face of great obstacles. In turn, they pioneered an educational, vocational and spiritual foundation that has now made Brookwood a nationally and internationally recognized model in the broader field of disabilities. For our family, the most important outcome has been Patrick’s ongoing development and growth as a contributing member of society. His abilities, his talents, his interests, and his potential are nurtured in the jobs he has at Brookwood, and in the activities programs he enjoys in the evenings and on the weekends. He is a fully engaged and vested citizen in this remarkable community, and we couldn’t be more proud of his accomplishments. We are also grateful for Brookwood, and we want to see it continue to bless Patrick and the other citizens for years to come. Because Brookwood doesn’t take government funding, it relies on revenues from its enterprises, program fees and private sector donations to underwrite its operating expenses. That is why we are once again raising support through the annual fall fundraising campaign. We hope you will make a generous donation to our Team fundraising goal. The McBirney Family thanks you for your support!