 
Who would have thought that 2020 was going to be a year to remember for a lifetime? Worldwide, we have experienced a pandemic that has changed our perspective and the way we do business. In the United States, far too many of us have lost a loved one or have witnessed the adverse health and economic impacts of COVID-19.
Looking back, we started the new year with good ideas and plans, but things changed quickly. Within a month of the pandemic hitting, most of our staff were working from home. We tried to adapt as quickly as we could not knowing what would come next. Our food program lost all its volunteers which fortunately we could fill with some of our regular staff to pack food because their jobs had suddenly changed. Throughout, our staff rose to meet the rapid-fire changes to our work. New programs have been developed to meet the pandemic crisis. The Eviction Diversion Program has helped pay rent for people during this crisis so they did not have to go without a place to live. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES) was initiated and allowed the agency to meet community needs to include providing personal need kits to over 1,200 people! Expanded funding allowed the agency to do more for the homeless population than ever before. Zoom and other technologies became a critical tool for our Head Start and Early Head Start staff as they maintained services and support to their families. Then there were additional grants received such as the Water Assistance Program that paid past due bills from March through December. Also, the agency received additional funds to help homeowners with their plumbing needs. All in all, the agency’s funding was increased by over $3 million with some of the services remaining available this next year. Early last summer, amid the pandemic, two of our counties experienced a catastrophic flood, which required a rapid mobilized response not experienced before. The agency began by delivering water and cleaning supplies later inheriting the charge of hosting multiple committees for the recovery process. This will last a couple of years, but many of the houses are being repaired to be lived in once again. While this is not the way we generally do business, we are appreciative of being asked to serve our communities in a way we’ve never done before. By giving our customers a hand up, we can see them improve their situation with hopes that no more struggles are in their future. Soon enough, we’ll be seeing a hopeful vaccination for this disease. As always, we truly appreciate your support and guidance along the way. May the new year be kind to you and may we continue “helping people, changing lives.” Fondly, Jill Sutton, Executive Director
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