A Letter from Hearthstone of Minnesota's
President and Chief Executive Officer

February 1, 2010

Dear Friends,

After 18 years of service, we at Hearthstone are deeply saddened to share that we will be closing its doors on February 26, 2010. As a small and geographically disperse model of care, Hearthstone has always needed to rely heavily on extremely high use of our services by counties. With the significant financial difficulties faced by counties over the past two years, Hearthstone’s referrals have continued to decrease dramatically, to the point where Hearthstone could no longer continue to provide services as a stand-alone organization.

Despite the continued growth of our development effort through the generous support of our individual, foundation, corporate, and community partners, the loss of government revenues was more than the organization could absorb. In response to this trend, the Hearthstone Board of Directors and I have worked diligently over the past year to find a merger partner, one which shared our vision and commitment to troubled youth and which could continue to operate Hearthstone’s services as a part of its larger organization. Unfortunately, the foundation that granted us the funds to begin the Hearthstone program has now required that these funds be returned, which results in the need to sell our homes in order to meet this financial obligation rather than merging our services with another organization and thereby sustaining Hearthstone’s unique model of care for the youth we serve.

Regrettably, Hearthstone’s journey has now come to an end. Despite this outcome, each of you has shared in our being able to offer high quality care and treatment within a nurturing, safe, and stable home to more than 600 youth, whose lives have been changed dramatically as a result of the efforts of a dedicated Board of Directors, a caring and committed staff, and your ongoing support and partnership over the years. Because of you, our youth will take with them the relationships and experiences they might never have been afforded and which have truly helped them on their way to becoming effective, contributing adults.

Although words seem inadequate at this time, please know that we are deeply grateful for your commitment to, and unwavering support of, Hearthstone and its youth, a group of children we have been privileged to serve and will remember always.

Our heartfelt thanks to each of you,



Jan Gibson Talbot
President and CEO