April 2010

            As I write this at the end of March I find myself looking back to March a year ago.  It’s been an amazing 12 months and even though it’s clear the effects of these troubling times will go on for some time great things have happened.

            As the clouds gathered, NCM pushed ahead to meet people’s needs.  I wouldn’t go so far as to talk of Phoenix rising from the ashes but as I look back to where we were a little over a year ago the old English teacher in me feels the need to search for a metaphor.  Perhaps the one about every cloud having a silver lining is more apt.

            By March of last year it seemed everything was taking a nose dive.  The stock market on its way down, the general economy was in serious trouble, and many people were being laid off.  At our Adult Living Units, for example, all 12 rooms had been occupied throughout the winter and suddenly in March we found ourselves with only 3 occupied rooms due to layoffs.  As 2009 moved on we saw many new people looking for extra help to get by.  It’s often tough to find jobs in the North Country especially ones with a living wage, but this was higher than usual.

            March 2009 also marked the opening of our second Outreach Center in Warrensburg, which was the fulfillment of a long held dream.  It has been our “silver lining” by providing us a convenient place to meet with clients in that area and it has allowed us to increase services at a time when it was most needed.  A couple with young children lost their jobs and got behind on just about everything.  We were able to help them catch up with rent and utilities and to connect with special programs for veterans for long term help. 

            As a site for work experience programs we not only gave some people work experience but were able to help them in other ways by meeting some of their transportation needs or educational opportunities. 

            Over these months we have had great success with several people whose lives were chaotic by helping them connect with appropriate programs to bring balance to their lives.  All silver linings in cloudy times.

            It is with special pride we honor the completion of the 1st year for the Warrensburg Center.  We celebrate this “silver” gift with an expanded family clothing center managed by Carol Galusha; the new baby’s place center with an office for Sr. Mary, the Director and Christine Langworthy, the parenting support worker; and an office for our caseworker, Caroline Sgorrano.  An additional and very important blessing has been the addition of a number of new hardworking volunteers.

            All of this has enabled us to respond to the needs of over 1,000 people a month—twice our number of clients in 2008.

            Our thanks goes out to all our loyal “Friends” who have supported us and trusted that we would do our best to offer a Hand of Hope to the people of this region.  We are the “silver lining” for many in these times.          

God bless,

Brother Jim