|
Greetings!
Whenever great tragedies happen in the world, you will often hear this quote from Fred Rogers: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’”
When unspeakable things happen and our faith in humanity is shattered, we can find hope in the people who step forward to offer their help and support. Who take a stand, even at great cost to themselves.
This past month has been full of many unspeakable moments, both for our Holden Village community and for our world. And in these moments, we have seen our community showing up in many generous ways. Reaching out to offer housing and assistance to our displaced staff. Giving to support Holden’s long road to recovery. Sending words of encouragement as we grapple with hard decisions every day. For all this and more, we cannot even begin to thank you.
Holden’s vision—a more just, sustainable, and compassionate world— is as needed as ever. Holden Village has never been a place to simply escape from the difficulties of the world, but to be strengthened in mind, body, and spirit for embodiment of these values. When terror, violence, and scapegoating are our daily realities, we recognize the gift that Holden offers far beyond the confines of the Railroad Creek valley. We are collaborators with Compassion, sustainers of Hope, laborers for Justice.
When we look back at this time, no doubt we will remember the heaviness and anxiety. We will remember the worry and fear. But we will also remember our overwhelming sense of gratitude. The glimpses of hope this community has offered us as you have given so graciously and generously. The certainty that we are all in this together. That we will hold each other up no matter what else may be coming our way.
So as we begin a new year and look towards a long road to recovery, we begin with a deep sense of gratitude. Thank you for being part of this community. Thank you for supporting each other during moments of sadness and fear. Thank you for offering glimmers of hope as we all move forward into ventures yet unknown.
With Good Courage,
| 
