Dear Friends of Community HousingWorks (CHW),

While the key word for 2020 was ‘pivot’, in 2021 I believe it was‘resiliency’ – which was tested again and again. We bounced backfrom the first wave of COVID – and into a few more – but we alsofound vaccinations, boosters and (yes) more masks. We continued to navigate travel and family gatherings in a new way. We started to return to the office and to school, and even to celebrate some of life’s special events. Throughout it all, we leaned on one another tocry, to laugh, and to give strength by connecting both virtually and IRL (“In Real Life” for the rest of us).

As I wrapped up my first year as CHW’s President & CEO in October (celebrated with a hybrid Dream Builder that featured fiveresidents as our ‘Everyday Heroes’) I had occasion to think about what I’ve seen since coming on board. I am so inspired by the tenacity of CHW’s ‘family’ of staff, residents, partners who help us build and maintain communities, and all others who link arms with us to better the lives of the people we serve. Of course, there’s been much discussion about work and home life balance,
and the short- and long-term impact of what we all do every day. For me, the answer has come through loud and clear:We Build Futures.

One of the best parts of 2021 was getting to see this idea of building futures in practice. I was able to go out to several communities where I witnessed people sharing meals, kidson scooters or climbing play equipment, and residents of allages offering each other a hand with everyday tasks. I also gotto meet much of the CHW staff in person for the first time as we came back to the office in July, and I saw the same fire of resilience in their eyes. This has been an intensely immersive experience — we’ve all been through something we never could have imagined, and it’s been much harder for some than forothers. At the end of the day, week, or year, we’re all looking forward and working together, and that is what will make allthe difference.

In whatever way you help us Build Futures, thank you. This work is a collaborative effort that depends on the collective will to change what is before us – leaving it better than we found it. I hope you find inspiration and hope in these pages,and in what we continue to do together. We accomplished so much this year – COVID or no COVID – and even more achievements lie ahead for us.

As always, thank you for being a part of our CHW family and for moving forward with us. With best wishes for a healthy 2022.

Sincerely,
Sean Spear

President & CEO
Community HousingWorks