We have established new partnerships that will allow our young adult residents to continue their education through valuable classroom and on the job training in high growth industries. We also have established new partnerships with other community-based organizations that will allow residents the opportunity to advance their careers as well as, if necessary, re-establish their credit. These new partnerships in conjunction with the longstanding working relationships that were already in place will benefit our residents immeasurably. But there still many challenges before us. The $64,000 question is how will we respond to those challenges.

How will you respond to the challenges ahead? And, no matter how well things are going, there will be challenges. As with all change, growth, and progress, there will be tests to your personal commitment. Hurdles to jump, barriers to maneuver around, and more mountains—than we thought existed to—climb. And, although we recognize the challenges ahead, we also recognize the rewards will by far outweigh them.

The Community Supportive Services Program (CSSP) is a great example of an organization founded on lofty goals. Ambitious aspirations. Life changing missions. This program is a compilation of residents’ and staff aspirations.

We remain committed to your—and our—success. We plan our work and work our plan. And our plan is simple. When you sieve through all the pageantry and programs what you will find is your strongest support team. We want you to recognize your place in the bigger system. We want you to reclaim your right to define your life.

Sir Winston Churchill once said, “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficult.” I believe the truth in that statement. Because your perspective greatly influences your decision making. How you see yourself, your challenges, and your successes are powerful tools in making your life what you want it to be. See yourself powerful!