As 2021 ends it is natural to be concerned about the coming year. The price of groceries and every day items are increasing. The cost of housing, which was already unaffordable for many, has reached ludicrous heights. As a charity we worry about future funding as the economy struggles and governments deal with greatly increased debts. We also know that when the going gets tough the most vulnerable suffer most.
Please don’t read the above as a dire predictions or discouragement. Far from it! Acknowledging our worries and fears is the first step in overcoming them. The second step is realising that we can do this because we have done it before. As a community we survived the height of the AIDS epidemic, we kept putting one foot in front of the other through ice storms and tornadoes and economic recessions, and we have rallied to make it through COVID. All this thanks to the magic that happens when one person extends a hand, when a community comes together, and when societies care for their most vulnerable.
Thank you for being there for your friends and neighbours living with HIV. Thank you for providing food, and warmth, and hope. Thank you for your kind words of support and encouragement to us as we carried forward as best we could despite the challenges. Because of the people and organizations and businesses in our community Bruce House was able, in many ways, to do more for our clients than ever before.
You don’t need to go to the movies to see super-heroes. You are walking among them every day.
We end this year in a much better place than we left 2020. The marathon of COVID is not over but the finish line is clearly in sight. We have had some difficult conversations about systemic issues in our society and have made significant strides in addressing historical wrongs which continue to harm people. We have shown love and compassion, integrity and strength, and a great deal of patience.
Let’s keep the momentum going. Let’s continue to work together for a better, more equitable and caring society. If you are able, please continue to donate to Bruce House and other groups close to your heart. If that’s not in your budget this year then consider volunteering or advocating on issues such as affordable housing and increased ODSP supports; and don’t underestimate the power of a few kind words of encouragement.
Wishing you a peaceful holiday season, much warmth and love, and may 2022 bring you a renewed joy and appreciation for the wonderful people in our lives.
Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year!
The Bruce House Family
