Winter, wind, ice, and the search for terra firma. The Center is that firm ground for many in the community — gathering in the way of support groups, year-round training, and the occasional potluck to keep everyone insulated through the winter.
Community has been on my mind more and more lately. I can appreciate the opportunities for the various ways to connect virtually — Zoom, social media, and the plethora of methods to send and receive messages loaded with cute emojis. With all of these low-barrier options, I can’t help but gravitate toward the pull of an open door to walk through, chairs to sit down at, a table to place a hot cup of coffee on, and a person across from me who has chosen to share their time and thoughts with me.
This is what happens at the Center. We provide a space to share community. What a beautiful, gift-wrapped package, and it’s year-round: sharing, laughter, coffee, and training that helps to build and retain independence, agency, and employment opportunities.
Please call, on your behalf, or a friend’s or family member’s behalf. There is an open chair with your name on it, a place for you at the table. We are the friends that you haven’t met yet, a community waiting for you to walk through the door.
Years ago, Irish immigrants carried a custom to the north — a candle placed in the window to signal warmth and safety for any traveler passing through the cold. It was a sign that strangers were welcome, that someone inside cared enough to keep the light burning.
That’s what the Center is. Our candle stays lit through every season, a light for anyone looking for direction, warmth, or belonging.