Bethany receives gift from Community Foundation fund

Bethany staff with a new vehicle purchased with funds from the Morency Family Charitable Giving Fund.

Bethany for Children & Families has received a $150,000 gift from the Morency Family Charitable Giving Fund at the Quad Cities Community Foundation.

The charitable giving fund was started by Kathi and Steve Morency, and their son and daughter-in-law Ryan and Kylie Morency, to support opportunities and needs in the Quad Cities region important to their family. Over the past few years, they have gotten to learn more about the work of Bethany for Children & Families.

“With the support of the Community Foundation, we’ve really been able to learn more about what Bethany needs to continue its mission of keeping children safe, strengthening families, and building a healthy community,” said Steve Morency. “Simply put, we believe that children in our community are often put into situations by no fault of their own—those kids are important to us. Through this gift, we hope that Bethany can continue to build upon the work they know is successful and reach more youth than ever before.”

The $150,000 grant will help the organization add a much-needed vehicle to a fleet of minivans used in Illinois child welfare services; serve underinsured and uninsured children with mental and behavioral health therapy in Iowa; and provide additional support to youth who age out of the Illinois foster care system.

“This is a transformative gift for our organization, and generosity Kathi and Steve, Kylie and Ryan have trusted us with will benefit many children and youth in the Quad Cities area,” said Jim Sanderlin, Bethany’s director of development and communication. “Bethany has depended on this community for over a century, and we’re so grateful for this meaningful investment in the lives of those we serve.”

“It is always an honor to work alongside families like the Morencys to listen to their philanthropic wishes, and help match those wishes with organizations like Bethany that are meeting the needs of our region,” said Anne Calder, vice president of development at the Community Foundation. “Kathi, Steve, Ryan, and Kylie each care deeply about the support young people in this region—and their gift will go a long way in doing just that.”