CHICAGO - Stratosphere Networks, an IT managed service provider based in Chicago, will host a gift drive for Lawrence Hall, a social services organization focused on helping abused and neglected youth and their families. The company will accept unwrapped gifts (with a maximum cost of $50) at 1732 Central Street in Evanston on Thursday, December 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Tuesday, December 13 from noon to 3 p.m.
The drive will help ensure that young people who have endured trauma and other forms of hardship have presents to open this holiday season. Lawrence Hall has delivered high-quality therapeutic care and worked to curb violence in the Chicago metropolitan area for more than 150 years. Steve Melchiorre, CEO of Stratosphere Networks, was recently appointed as a member of the Lawrence Hall Board of Trustees.
"At Stratosphere Networks, we prioritize giving back to our community," Melchiorre said. "We're honored to support Lawrence Hall's efforts to improve the lives of young people and families in need this holiday season."
With its innovative evidence-based care, Lawrence Hall has provided thousands of young people and their families with a pathway to success. For example, the organization helped Mari break free from a cycle of trauma and violence and stop running away from her problems by giving her a strong support system. Mari has become resilient, confident, and ambitious and now works full-time as a security guard at a major museum in Chicago. She also serves as an advocate for other youths dealing with issues similar to what she experienced.
"Lawrence Hall helped me realize that not everyone is out to see me fail," she said. "They helped me realize it's not always about running from things, and that was my problem. The wonderful staff was very supportive, saw my potential, and pushed me toward the right path."
Dequarian is another Lawrence Hall success story. When he first entered the organization's residential treatment program, he was angry and distrustful. However, the program helped him develop healthy coping skills, and he progressed through the transitional living program and will soon move into his own apartment. Additionally, Dequarian got real-world work experience through the MY TIME program and now works full-time at Lawrence Hall's TryMe's café.
"The kitchen supervisors give me opportunities to learn new things, teach me work ethics like staying positive, and teach me how to cook a little bit more," he said.
Stratosphere Networks delivers comprehensive IT support and solutions - including full maintenance services, desktop support, business continuity, disaster recovery, remote and onsite support, proactive 24/7/365 monitoring, and more. To learn more, call 877-599-3999 or email sales@stratospherenetworks.com.