Your impact comes to life—one moment at a time.
Each Mission Moment shares a glimpse into the lives of children, families, and individuals who found hope and stability through The Up Center. From rebuilding after crisis to achieving lifelong goals, these moments remind us why your support matters.
Read. Share. Be Inspired.
Create the Next Mission Moment
When you give to The Up Center, you’re helping someone write their next chapter. Your generosity brings stability, confidence, and hope to families and individuals working toward a brighter future.
Ana’s Forever Journey
At The Up Center, we believe every child deserves the chance to heal, grow, and belong. Our Therapeutic Foster Care Program provides children who have experienced trauma with the safety, support, and stability they need—so they can move forward with confidence and hope.
Ana’s story is just one example of what your support makes possible.
At just 14, Ana entered foster care after years of instability, trauma and loss. She was guarded, hurt, and uncertain of her future. But through the steady, compassionate presence of her Up Center case manager—and a team that refused to give up on her—Ana found something she hadn’t known in years: trust.
Two years later, Ana was adopted into a loving home. At 16, she had a family to call her own.
Now, nearly 30, Ana recently returned to Virginia to reconnect with the case manager who helped change her life. Over lunch and laughter, she shared:
“She met me as a broken, angry little girl—and never left my side. She introduced me to my forever family. I wouldn’t be the woman I am today without her.”
The heart of Therapeutic Foster Care
Unwavering commitment, lifelong bonds, and hope realized.
Your support helps us:
- Recruit and train specialized foster parents
- Provide wraparound trauma-informed services
- Walk alongside each child and caregiver with the consistency and care they deserve.
Last year:
- 96% of children in our program remained stable in their foster placements—nearly 30% higher than the national average
- Children received personalized mental health care, educational support, and dedicated case management
- Dozens of youth, like Maria, began their journey toward healing and connection
But we can’t do it alone.
When you support Therapeutic Foster Care, you become part of each child’s story—from heartbreak to healing, from crisis to connection. You help ensure that every Maria we meet can find a place to call home—and someone who never leaves her side.
Help us build forever families and brighter futures.
John’s Second Chance
John, a 40-year-old man who initially came to us for substance use treatment. After completing those services, he recognized that he was also living with depression and asked to continue with mental health therapy. Week by week, John has learned to manage his emotions in healthier ways—replacing anger and isolation with journaling, physical activity, and reconnecting with loved ones.
Today, John is sober. He’s managing his depression. He’s maintaining communication with his family and building a routine that supports his wellbeing. And, most importantly, he’s hopeful about the future.
These stories are not rare. They are why we do this work.
Healing Is Possible—And It Starts With You
These stories are not rare. They are why we do this work.
Last year, your support helped us provide:
- 1,453 people with timely, evidence-based mental health counseling
- 381 children received mental health care and support
- 86% of individuals reporting measurable improvement in their overall wellbeing
But we know the need is growing. Too many people still face barriers to care—because of stigma, cost, transportation, or the fear of not being heard. That’s why your continued support is so important.
When you give to The Up Center’s Mental Health Services, you’re not just funding therapy sessions—you’re investing in self-worth, second chances, and long-term stability. You’re helping people like Katie and John rewrite their stories—in ways that reflect their incredible strength and personal goals.
Together, we can ensure that no one has to walk through their darkest days alone.
Yolanda's Home Saved
When Yolanda learned she might lose her home, she didn’t know where to turn. As a single mother with children to support, she felt overwhelmed and afraid of what might come next.
Then she connected with The Up Center’s Housing and Financial Counseling Program. Her counselor, Erica, walked beside her every step of the way—reviewing notices, contacting her mortgage company, and exploring every possible option to keep her family housed.
Through patience and encouragement, Yolanda not only kept her home but also built new financial confidence. She learned how to budget, manage credit, and plan ahead so her family could stay secure for the long term.
Today, Yolanda’s home is filled with laughter and stability. She looks back on that uncertain time and sees how far she’s come—with The Up Center by her side.
Opening Doors to Stability, Empowerment, and Economic Stability
These are more than financial wins. They are life-changing moments of choice, dignity, and lasting security—and they’re only possible because of donors like you.
In the past year:
- Over 1,000 individuals improved their financial capacity by increasing savings, reducing debt, or boosting credit scores
- 59 families avoided foreclosure or eviction, protecting their homes and their futures
- Dozens of new homeowners began their journeys with trusted counseling and ongoing support
Your generosity fuels this work. Your gift provides personalized financial coaching, homeownership education, foreclosure prevention, and emergency support for those facing crisis. Whether it’s helping someone save their home or purchase their first one, your investment builds the foundation for long-term financial health and economic justice.
Let’s continue building pathways to stability, mobility, and opportunity—for everyone in our community.
McKayla's New Beginning
When Makayla came to the Cohen Military Family Clinic at The Up Center, she was in crisis.
Struggling with suicidal thoughts, severe depression, and the risk of losing custody of her young son, she was overwhelmed and unsure of how to move forward. But with 12 weeks of compassionate, trauma-informed care from her therapist and case manager, Makayla’s story began to change.
She didn’t just stabilize—she found new strength and hope.
Today, Makayla is living in stable housing, working a new job, enrolled in a certification program, and rebuilding relationships with her family. Her anxiety score dropped by 50%. Her depression score fell by more than two-thirds. Most importantly, she found her voice.
“Her greatest achievement was her willingness to ask for help,” her clinician shared. “She used her voice to build a new future.”
A Story of Strength
This is what healing looks like. And your generosity makes it possible.
The Cohen Military Family Clinic provides high-quality, confidential mental health counseling to post-9/11 veterans, active duty service members, and their families— with no barriers to care, regardless of ability to pay or insurance. But we don’t stop at therapy. We connect clients to resources like food, housing, employment, and long-term support so they can thrive beyond our doors.
Last year alone:
- 665 veterans, service members, and family members received care
- 90% of clients reported improved quality of life
- 40% of clinic staff are veterans or military family members themselves
With your partnership, we can ensure that no one who has served our country has to fight their toughest battles alone.
