A Note from our Executive Director
Dear friend,
As I approach my third anniversary as Executive Director of IVYP, it seems an appropriate time to reflect on our accomplishments and our future. A year ago, our IVYP board affirmed our raison d’etre: “By building a resilient and connected community, IVYP mitigates the effects of poverty, racism and trauma so that all children and families can thrive.” 2020 has allowed us to test that statement.
The strength of our relationships with the community has meant that people turn to us when they’re stressed or in crisis and needs have skyrocketed. The number of services our clients receive has increased by 146%.
We’ve stepped up to the plate by providing desks to students, meals to families, a bilingual candidates forum, immigration webinars, in-person and virtual childcare and so much more. We’ve continued to convene the Goleta Valley Partnership network to ensure that no one falls through the cracks. The events of January 6 were especially terrifying for children, for our undocumented neighbors, for our immigrant families. IVYP has been there to provide comfort, strength and resilience to our community. By building relationships between adult and child, family to family, and organization to organization, we strengthen our community.
IVYP is ready to continue to serve our community in 2021. In partnership with Cottage Hospital, IVYP is recruiting and training 50 health advocates to distribute COVID information kits to hard to reach families. Beginning at our food distribution on January 21, IVYP will be distributing diapers as well as food. In partnership with UCSB, IVYP is distributing meals to 256 individuals every day.
The work of caring is hard. Please consider making a monthly donation so that we can continue to support our staff and our community. Join me in caring for the care-takers.
Lori Goodman
Executive Director
