Coming Together - A Letter from the CEO
Somehow, this year continues to fly by, and we are already nearing the colder months again. This has been a year of so much growth, community, change, and at times hardship for our neighbors. As I reflect on what 2023 has brought us so far, I am inspired by the fortitude of our clients, our staff, and our community. The challenges continue and sometimes feel insurmountable, but here we all are, continuing to support one another through every turn.
Earlier this month we were pleased to welcome nearly 100 community partners, neighbors, staff, volunteers, and donors to our Rollins Avenue Open House. In addition to being home to our administrative, operations, finance, development, and communications teams, it is the new permanent location of our Vocational Services Program (VSP). The new VSP facility at Rollins Avenue includes space for meetings and mock interviews with clients, strategy sessions for the VSP team, and a new Computer Lab for client training, online interviews, and job applications. The event was made extra special by the beautiful pieces of artwork donated by our staff, volunteers, current and former clients, and other community members that are now displayed all around the office. Not only does the collection beautify our space, but the pieces also allow all those who visit an opportunity to see IW through a different and very authentic lens. Thank you to everyone who attended the Open House. It was such a pleasure to share the impact of our work and recognize the efforts of our partners who made this possible. Read more about this event here.
As we celebrate our growth, we also reflect on what it takes to continue to support our neighbors across Montgomery County. In Fiscal Year 2023, we served over 35,000 people. We are grateful to have expanded our services to meet the growing needs of this community by adding additional programs such as the IW New Leaf Shelter, our second shelter serving adults of all genders, and Lon’s House which provides supportive housing to senior men who have experienced homelessness.
Despite knowing that many of our clients and community members continue to need our services, I remain grateful to know that we at IW can support and provide pathways to stability for all those who come through our doors. However, I continue to see that no one in this community works alone. Time after time, I see so many in our community come together in support of those experiencing poverty.
We are especially grateful to our volunteers and donors who consistently help us meet our clients’ needs. Whether it is providing meals to residents at one of the women’s shelters, dropping off gently used clothing and household goods to the Essential Needs Center or giving a seminar to clients at Progress Place, we know we do not work alone to help our clients find their pathway to stability.
As we head into the colder and darker months of the year, let’s hold on to that sense of coming together. Let’s keep that sense of connection to each other and to our neighbors who need us.
Courtney Hall, IW CEO
