As I reflect on the anniversary of COVID closures, I remember the last year as especially challenging but also very rewarding. It has been humbling to see how parents have worked extra hard to maintain as much normalcy as possible for their children and themselves. It has been inspiring to see how our teams have continued providing services to those who need them – even as our physical doors remained locked so many times.
We grapple with the question of how to remain a welcoming and safe space for children and families... when our waiting room remains blocked, when we must ask screening questions and take clients’ temperatures, when we offer elbow bumps rather than comforting hugs, and when we wear masks that hide our smiles.
