Greetings Joe’s Place community. Each spring I marvel at nature’s ability to go from seemingly dead to full of the promise of life. Watching the buds form, the greenery sprout, and finally, the blossoms erupt fills me with a sense of hope and wonderment. I realize it is cliché, but I do not think I ever appreciated a spring season more than this year!
Julia Schaffner, Board President
Sometime well before the pandemic, I remember listening to a podcast about grit. Miriam-Webster defines grit as “firmness of mind or spirit: unyielding courage in the face of hardship or danger”. The podcast defined and highlighted characteristics of grit outlined steps on how to build more grit and provided tips to parents and those that work with children on methods to encourage their development of grit. Although the last 12 months have brought countless tragedies to our community, nation, and the world, I stand in awe at the grit I see all around me. Healthcare and other essential workers who worked through unthinkable adversity and sacrificed so much for others; people who took a stance, often at their own risk, to highlight societal inequities; scientists and leaders who worked tirelessly on research. I also see it in parents who learned how to be their child’s teacher while working full-time and keeping their household intact; nonprofits and educators that put every ounce of energy into pivoting to be responsive to changing needs; volunteers, churches, and community members who responded to the critical needs of their neighbors and strangers.
Our world is so vastly different than it was 18 months ago. We will not fully know the impact on our youth for quite some time. However, to see the residents of Joe’s Place flourish with their studies and personal growth during the pandemic, and to hear about recent successes for our program alumni, fills me with incredible hope and wonderment. These guys have grit. They are staying firm in their desire to beat the odds and persevere through hardships. Joe’s Place also had to adapt this year to having its residents home in virtual learning and staying at half capacity due to safety guidelines for quarantining. This year would not have happened without our generous Joe’s Place community. Thank you for standing with us during this difficult year!
We hope you will consider joining us at our virtual cheese, chocolate, and wine event on Saturday, May 22. You can read more about the event below.
Best Wishes,
