Thankful You Are In Our Corner

Gratitude is a noun and often defined as the quality of being thankful. It’s a positive emotion and helps focus on the good in our lives. I am aware how easy it is to forget to be grateful for the little things we often take for granted, such as having a place to live, access to food, clean water, good friends, or even something as small as someone holding the door open for you.

For the team at Sisters, gratitude is also a verb.

We express gratitude towards each other regularly. We take time during the week to check in with each other and thank each other for collaborating well, bouncing ideas, and making the work days fun. We also express gratitude towards our supporters by sending letters and thank you cards. Over the past year, first as the Acting Executive Director and now as the Executive Director, I have hand written several thank-you cards. Our Communications and Fundraising Director, Justice, has also written personal messages of gratitude to supporters. 

This blog post is me, once again, expressing gratitude to you. For the past few years, Sisters has faced many challenges. First, the pandemic forced us to close the cafe. This meant we lost connection with customers and our various communities. We tried several ways to ensure people had a meal or snack but none of the solutions captured what made the cafe special.

Announcing last fall that we were keeping the cafe closed and looking for a new home was frightening. I was afraid donors might not support us as we embarked on this journey. I was unsure if getting back to our roots and speaking out more about the atrocities facing minoritized folks such as those experiencing homelessness would resonate.

I know the narratives surrounding homelessness are persuasive and meanwhile, here we are advocating for radical ideas: housing first, safe use sites for those using drugs, speaking out against a camping ban when there is no alternative safe space, and talking about the biases of police surveillance.  

But you sent messages of support, shared our posts, and continued to donate. For this, I want to affirm and acknowledge the role you have played in helping us move forward with buying 331 NW Davis, formerly the House of Louie and soon to be Sisters of the Road. I am expressing gratitude to you. You have helped us. You have cared about this organization. Some of you have donated for years, some are new, and we are grateful.

You believe in Sisters of the Road. Thank you for being part of our community. Thank you for pushing us to be our best. Your support motivates us as we continue trudging and trusting the process and path we are on.