Every year with the support of our wonderful community, the North Pole magically appears in the YWCA’s headquarters. Gifts for children and moms are arrayed in a beautifully decorated room; the people we serve can select gifts to give their children; wrapping paper, bags and bows are available just outside the room. Children can visit the North Pole accompanied by a staff person to select that perfect gift to give their mom. Everything is free – thanks to the generosity of so many.
Today I stopped in briefly and met a woman we’ll call Gloria; she had baked a cake to give to the staff for the holidays and I wanted to personally thank her. She was looking carefully at the North Pole selection of gifts, trying to decide what would be best to give her children. She introduced herself to me and, with a warm smile, told me how wonderful our staff are. Of course I agreed with her! She went on to tell me that she had worked with our Court Advocate and had successfully secured a Restraining Order, was meeting with one of our Counselors, and had come to our services via the Family Justice Center. Again and again she told me how they had helped her and finally said “your agency and your staff changed my life.”
While Gloria may have gotten gifts from our North Pole, she gave to me a gift that warms my heart. Our work is difficult and sometimes we can’t see the positive things beyond all the pain we hear from our clients. Knowing that we have helped even one person is what keeps the flame burning, what keeps me going through all the darkness of our times.
Thank you, Gloria, for giving me this gift. Let’s all continue to change lives in the new year.
Jan Lilien, YWCA Union County CEO
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PO Box 462, Kenilworth, NJ 07033
Phone: (908) 355-1995• Fax: (908) 355-2010
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