Meet Clarke Simpson-Delp, the leading queen of the ACCESS Power of the Parent program. Fresh from her stunning 2008-2009 fundraising campaign, Clark sat down with ACCESS to answer a few questions about the program and how it works.

ACCESS: What made you decide to participate in the Power of the Parent program??
Clark: ACCESS is a not-for-profit school, meaning it relies on the generosity of others.  The Power of the Parent program is a “personal” fundraiser for the school.  My son, Warren, has been enrolled at ACCESS for four years now, and although I have known about the Power of the Parent fundraiser since his first year of school, I had to be at a point where I was ready, both mentally and emotionally, to write my journey.  I wanted to make certain I knew enough and saw enough success in Warren to be able to express my gratitude to the therapists and staff of ACCESS.  This past year, I was ready.

ACCESS: How did sharing Warren’s ACCESS Success story make you feel??
Clark: When I made the decision to write Warren’s journey, I did not look at it in any other way than just another task to place on my “To Do List.”  The idea was for me to describe and explain our journey with Warren that led us to the ACCESS Schools.  Instead, the letter became a need, a need to emotionally purge my soul and expose my life to others.  I wanted those who read my letter to feel what I felt, to understand what I understood, and to know what was unknown to us a few years ago.  It was a release, it was cathartic, and it provided me with a tremendous amount of pride in myself.

ACCESS: How did your family and friends respond to the letter??
Clark: The response from my letter has truly been overwhelming.  Most of my dearest family and friends knew of our struggles, but were unaware of the lengths that the staff and teachers of ACCESS went through for us.  It was the first time I was able to express the emotional turmoil my family went through in our efforts to receive a formal diagnosis for Warren.  It was also the first time, in a long time that I did not feel alone.  The response to my letter gave me the strength and support I never knew I needed.

ACCESS: Many people don’t like asking others for money, even when it’s for a good cause; what was your experience like, and what would you say to others who may be hesitant to participate in the ACCESS Power of the Parent program??
Clark: I mailed more than 200 Power of the Parent letters.  Since that time, the ACCESS Schools has received more than $46,000 in response to my letter. I wanted to participate in the Power of the Parent program because I believe in this school, and I am grateful to those inside this school for changing my son’s life.  Asking for contributions in a letter is, to me, a whole lot easier than asking in person.  With the Power of the Parent letter, it allowed those individuals who read it the chance to decide whether or not to contribute to ACCESS.  What it allowed me was the chance to spread the word about ACCESS Schools and what it can do for children with special needs. I have more than 50 thank you notes left to write.  This is not another thing to put on my “To Do List”.  This is a blessing.

The Power of the Parent program generated more than $46,000 in operating and program funds for ACCESS during the 2008-2009 fiscal year. How it works: Parents write their children’s ACCESS Success stories and mail the stories, along with donation requests, to their lists of family and friends. ACCESS then mails the stories and donation requests to the lists of people provided. The program provides an opportunity to frankly share your family’s story with people who care about you and offers them a way to give a gift you’re sure to cherish.

For more information about the Power of the Parent program, contact Beth Johnson, ACCESS director of development, at 501-217-8600.