Josefina’s Letter – New Year, Renewed Commitment

New Year, Renewed Commitment

January 15, 2019

Dear Safe Passages Family.

Thank you for opening this newsletter. To all the individual donors who gave to Safe Passages last year, thank you for your time and financial contributions. We raised over $9,000 towards our Giving Tuesday/Holiday Campaign goal of $10,000. We literally could not have done it without you!

It’s the beginning of the New Year, a time when many people make their New Year’s resolutions. Most resolutions focus on exercising more and eating healthier. After a politically grueling 2017, Self Care is more important than ever. After all, we have to take care of ourselves in order to take care of others; and redouble our efforts to disrupt poverty and buffer the most vulnerable populations we serve.  In order to be effective, we must be healthy and strong, both physically and mentally.

The necessity of Self Care became clear to me several years ago. At that time I felt like we were treading in quicksand, pushing to move our social justice agenda forward. So in late 2013, I began walking, which eventually became running – and I never looked back. I needed a way to channel the angst of this work, and running became that place for me. By the end of 2017, I had run over 1400 miles and completed four half marathons. Honestly, running has made me a better version of myself, and a better leader for Safe Passages.  So, when you think about your New Year’s resolutions, please leave room and time to focus on yourself – your own health and wellbeing – because our communities need your strength to keep moving our social justice agenda forward.

Not even one month in, and 2018 is already proving to be incredibly contentious and negative at the federal level. The attack on civil rights and poor communities becomes more severe with each passing day, and the deferment of economic justice is more apparent than ever. Navigating the next massive redistribution of wealth dressed up as tax reform will be yet another marathon. At Safe Passages, we are committed to the beginning, middle and finish line of this race. We will continue to help cultivate hope, imagination, and solutions to improve the lives of the children and families we serve – in 2018 and beyond. I hope you will continue to support us and join in our efforts as we push the envelope for our communities. 

In Service,
Josefina Alvarado Mena, Esq.
CEO
Safe Passages