Finding Gratitude Amidst Challenging Times

Over the past year, I have talked with many of you about the state of Graham and the world around us. I too have experienced a gamut of emotions ranging from hope inspired by the creative and resilient people I encounter each day to utter rage and sadness at the looming threats to our values and communities. I’ve been leaning on gratitude as a salve, and I’d like to share a few thoughts that have been soothing to me.

This year, the Graham community has come together to have difficult conversations. Together we have participated in a series of 4 convenings called The Reckoning, where we have talked about the history of the child welfare sector and the unintentional harm that our sector has caused to Black, brown and poor families in particular. We heard a lot of things that were hard to hear. I am grateful for the opportunity to have had these conversations and especially grateful for the honesty, grace, and understanding of our team and broader community of friends and partners. I am grateful to lead a team of caring human beings who want to do right by children and families—even when that means acknowledging that we haven’t always gotten it right and we can learn and grow based on that knowledge.

As I think about the year to come, I am most grateful for the fact that whatever challenges we face, we will face them together. With your generosity, your commitment, we can continue to help those who face some of the most difficult obstacles caused by poverty, racial injustice, and lack of access to educational opportunities, living wage employment, quality healthcare, and affordable housing.

I find that the antidote to the pain in the world is focusing on how we can help our neighbors. I am passionate about our updated mission to collaborate with communities and strong partners to create and implement innovative strategies so that everyone can lead healthy, joyful, and successful lives.

Thank you for all you do for our children and families, each and every year.