Letter from the Leadership
Dear Friends,
As we reflect on the past year, we are thankful for those who make up the NWCF community – our partner agencies, donors, event sponsors, volunteers, and you – for showing steadfast commitment to children and families. The short- and long-term effects of the pandemic and significant health inequities continue to impact children and families in our region. At the same time, we celebrate the life-changing impact of the work happening each day, whether it is a family that has found stable housing after homelessness, or the young man who is setting and reaching his own goals with the help of his mentor (see Partner Agency Spotlight on page 11). In the upcoming pages, you will see a snapshot of what the NWCF community has accomplished in the past year. Here are some of the highlights: Another amazing year of investment Thanks to your partnership, we invested $1M in programs lifting up children, youth, and families. Our partner agencies are a continuous source of inspiration. Their staff on the ground know firsthand what kids and young people are experiencing right now, what they need, and what serves them best. As they adapt and respond with creativity and determination to the enormous challenges of their clients, they have underscored how NWCF is providing critical support. Strength in community For real change to happen, we need to recognize and honor community voices, community expertise, and the power of lived experience. Our 2022 Forum, Buffering Intergenerational Trauma: Child Well-Being and Community Resilience , focused on the strengths intrinsic within our communities and how we can honor them when we work with children. Our five Forum speakers – “united by hope,” in the words of panelist moderator Dr. Ben Danielson – shone a light on a community-based approach to healing. Although we came together virtually, we felt the powerful effect of learning, listening, and finding inspiration together. What’s coming next We have listened deeply to those working directly with children and families and have learned about their needs beyond funding . In response, we are expanding our educational outreach to fill the gap in affordable and high-value education for those in the field. We will be sharing more about this endeavor in the upcoming year. Meanwhile, we continue our long-term commitment to children and families in our communities and to the agencies that work with them. You will see in the following pages that we have committed to multiyear, unrestricted funding for nearly two-thirds of our partner agencies. In short, we are working hard and feeling hopeful. Despite ongoing challenges, we are optimistic because we know the NWCF community is strong, resilient, and committed to change.
Victoria Peattie Helm Chief Executve Officer
Adrienne Heile Chief Program Officer
In partnership,
2
Made with FlippingBook Digital Publishing Software