Two Foundation's 2025 Annual Appeal Giving Fund
“When you give to the Two, your gift doesn’t just support a program; it supports people — young adults like Abbey and Margaret, and families like ours.” — Kate Malarney
Your Gift Helps Real People!
Dear friends and neighbors,
My name is Kate Malarney, and I’ve been asked to share my family’s story. This is not your typical happy-ending story. It’s ongoing and messy. But I believe that when we speak up about hard things, it helps build a stronger, more compassionate community.
I grew up here in the Cleveland area. I met my husband, John, when I was working at a coffee shop on Chagrin Blvd. after college. We stayed near family to raise our three daughters in the Chagrin area.
Life didn’t exactly unfold as we expected.
Our middle daughter, Abbey, was diagnosed on the autism spectrum at age 4, and at 12 she was diagnosed with early-onset schizophrenia. It was heartbreaking, confusing, and isolating as we watched our sweet girl lose touch with reality.
Just as we were finding our footing on this new path, our youngest daughter, Margaret, was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer. She started chemotherapy and experienced a rare side effect that led to internal bleeding. She lost oxygen to her brain and slipped into a coma. She spent 14 months in the hospital, but defied the odds and survived. Margaret came home miraculously cancer-free, but with serious injury to her brain and in a wheelchair.
It was during these dark and difficult years with our daughters that we found Two & Company. And even though our story is far from over, the Two has become a part of it—which brings real hope and joy into our lives.
If you’ve ever visited the Two, you’ve probably seen these phrases on their walls:
Life without labels.
We’re better together.
Celebrate strengths and diversity.
I can tell you from experience that those aren’t just slogans. They actually live by them!
The Two helped Abbey find her first part-time job last summer, with one of their new business partners. And Margaret started their job readiness program this fall. We don’t know what the future holds, and we are all still adjusting to our “new normal.” But whatever comes, knowing the Two is walking with us makes a big difference.
Thank you for considering a gift to support Two Foundation.
Kate Malarney 2026!