Dear friends,

I'm writing to you with a very grateful heart–and with a special request for prayers and funds for our precious Girl Talk Girl

*Ella is a Girl Talk Sister who has experienced a deep crisis of self-worth. Just a few weeks ago, after battling significant depression and suicidal ideation, Ella questioned her own life and found herself in a very dark place.

We never would have known. Ella exudes light and confidence, with the brightest smile and most infectious laugh! A long-time friend described her as “personable beyond measure, always showing a humble but exuberant interest in whomever she is interacting with and elevating their dignity to the level of royalty in her presence.”

The level of royalty. That’s our Ella.

And yet, what happens when we forget our own dignity? When we lose sight of our majestic identity?

We feel unworthy of love. Of life. And sometimes, we take action to make all our pain go away.

Ella’s light was beginning to dim. She found herself in the shadows, unable to see the light.

But a loved one was there. Holding her in her darkest moment. Calling for help.

There was light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps the faintest of flickers, but it was there.

When our glowing light is extinguished, sometimes we need others to re-ignite the spark within.

And that’s exactly what Ella’s loving family has offered. Holding her hand in the hospital. Braiding her hair. Crying with her through the pain. Laughing with her through the messiness. Enjoying a pumpkin spiced latte, because no matter how difficult life gets, Starbucks will always understand.

Ella and her family are so incredibly grateful for the generosity of our Girl Talk Community. Thanks to the incredible support of very magnanimous Girl Talk Donors, we were able to raise $10,000 within 24 hours. These funds allowed Ella to shift from a state facility to a safe, warm, and comforting in-patient unit in Chicago, Il. They covered the cost of a week of safety and stabilization, compassionate clinical care, accessible mental healthcare, and much-needed rest and recovery for Ella.

Before the transfer, I was able to visit our dear girl in the hospital, and share the good news of the funding. She looked at me with tears in her eyes and shared:

“Julie, I feel like a princess. Cinderella had it rough, but deep down, she always knew her worth…that’s how I feel. Like I’m remembering who I am again. I’m going to offer all my healing and recovery for our Girl Talk Donors.”

What a fire Ella is kindling in us!

Ella is quickly approaching her 7th day in in-patient care. Without any additional funding, she will be terminated from the behavioral health unit and sent home. While she has already received tremendous treatment, we know our princess deserves the best possible care!

Will you join us in re-igniting Ella’s spark?

$1,200 covers 1 day of in-patient care (IPC)
$700 funds 1 day in the partial hospitalization program (PHP)
$600 provides 1 day of treatment in an intensive outpatient program (IOP)

We are hoping to reach our goal of $3,600 by Friday, November 21st! This would provide Ella 3 additional days in in-patient care, and the greater the stay in in-patient care, the better. Ella’s family will attribute all other available funds to a PHP or IOP program.

Will you help us extend the light of hope for Ella?

This Thanksgiving Season, we invite you to ignite her spark with a gift of:

$25
$50
$100
$250
$500

All donations are tax deductible and will directly fund the mental healthcare and support of Ella.

Her mother would like to personally thank us for any and all prayers and support we each can provide. “Dear Girl Talk Donors–you’re literally saving my daughter’s life. Thank you!” - Ella’s Mom

With your help, we can “elevate Ella’s dignity to the level of royalty” once more. We can remind her of her worth. We can offer her the light of hope.

That same long-time friend continued her description of the girl we know and love: “Ella knows who she is, and to Whom she belongs.”

She is a princess. She’s a daughter of the King. And we need to re-ignite her royal flame!

This Thanksgiving Season, I am thanking God especially for the gift of life and our generous Girl Talk Community! Let's pray for Ella and reignite her flame within.

This is the light of hope. This is Girl Talk.

Love,
Julie

Julie Larkin, LPC
Founder & Executive Director, Girl Talk

*Ella's name has been changed to protect her identity.

Girl Talk is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (EIN: 47-5334989), and all charitable contributions are tax-deductible. Contributions are tax-deductible for income tax purposes.

Girl Talk Light of Hope

By Girl Talk Foundation Inc

Girl Talk Light of Hope

Give the Light of Hope!

Team Members