Golfers raise more than $42,000 for
abused girls at New Life Children's Center

November 15, 2006

CANYON LAKE, TEXAS -- More than 90 golfers and sponsors recently raised $42,000 to help abused and neglected girls living at the New Life Children's Center at Canyon Lake.

The Tomorrow's Child Golf Benefit at the Fair Oaks Golf at the Country Club in Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas, was a success, raising $2,000 more than last year's tournament

Phyllis Turner, the center's clinical director, said girls residing at New Life have positive life changing experiences during their time there. Funds raised by the tournament enhance the care and treatment they receive.

"The funds from the golf tournament really make a difference in the level of care and treatment for the children that state funds don't always cover," said Turner.

New Life Children's Center provides the hope of new beginnings to girls, ages 11 to 17, who have severe emotional and behavioral problems usually as a result of neglect or abuse. Most of the girls are referred to New Life by Child Protective Services because their homes situations have been determined to be unsafe.

Before arriving at New Life, the girls often had no one to trust. Within the protective environment of the center, they have access to mentors and an intensive therapeutic program.

"Our main goal is to give these girls the opportunity to live without the fear of abuse," said Natalie Avalos, New Life's volunteer services director. "The different programs at the center help heal wounds and offer the hope of a better life."

The golf tournament funds will provide opportunities to the New Life girls that most children take for granted, going to movies and bowling and other such activities.

For more information or to volunteer, visit New Life's web site or call (830) 964-4390.

New Life Children's Center is an affiliated ministry of Lutheran Social Services, the social service arm of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. LSS affiliated ministries serve more than 35,000 children, elderly and poor in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi, regardless of religious beliefs, ethnicity, gender or age. Its ministries include children's centers, therapeutic foster care, adoption, disaster response, emergency assistance, senior health care, retirement communities and adult day care.

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