Letter from the Chair, Board of Directors Joshua Downer, Esq.
“The only way out is through.” — Robert Frost
That was the mantra that kept coming to mind during a ceaselessly tumultuous (and incredibly fruitful) 2022. With the multitudinous effects of the pandemic still raging, the needs of the community expanding in scope and acuteness, the reliance of local government on CSC increasing, and the nationwide challenge of recruiting and maintaining workers impacting social work organizations perhaps more than any other sector, I am proud to say that CSC has made it through. By many standards we have even thrived. We have seen our budget grow by more than 40%, significantly increased the number of clients served, and continue to meet—with love and care—the most pressing challenges facing people in our community. The success of CSC is a credit, first and foremost, to the faithful efforts of the CSC staff and leadership. Executive Director Penelope Griffith continues to chart a visionary course for the organization, balancing strategic guidance with day-to-day management while tackling extraordinary challenges, one by one. As indicated above, CSC has faced a unique confluence of difficulties in 2022: continued fallout from the trauma of COVID, a tight job market coupled with inflation and rising wages, and overwhelmed city service providers with a concomitant greater reliance on CSC to fill the gap. The people CSC exists to serve, ever present in our minds, have kept us going. 2023 is a year of transition as we move beyond COVID into a new normal, solidify our leadership and staff as a much larger organization than we were pre-pandemic
and expand CSC’s services in the greater DMV area. As Board Chair, my focus has been to sustain the organization by maintaining continuity of leadership —in particular, expanding the Board and ensuring that Penny Griffith continues as Executive Director. I also anticipate transitioning from my role as Chair in 2023. It is an incredible honor and privilege to serve this organization. When I originally connected with CSC in 2018, I remember coming by the office in Columbia Heights and meeting all the program leads. I was so deeply impressed by the people and their sense of mission. There was a spirit of joyful service at play that drew me in and continues to sustain me in this role. I am confident that 2023 will be a year of progress in the face of transition. Amid the challenges, there are daily victories, both in the work of the organization, and most importantly in the lives of the people. Many of their stories are highlighted in this report, and I know you will enjoy getting to know them. CSC serves the heart and soul of Washington, D.C. CSC’s problems are all of our problems, and its victories are all of our victories.
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