David's Corner

This week’s Friday Note is written by LCSNW CFO Karyn Huffman, in response to the shooting this week in Boulder, Colo. David Yet again.    I imagine for some, two more mass shootings draw us into an old story or memory. Eighteen more innocent people killed by two young men with powerful guns. Six days apart. Separated by 1,422 miles of hills, rivers, trees, plains, and fields. We know the all-too-familiar rituals, this time playing out in Atlanta and Boulder. Media trucks and reporters packed like tumbleweeds jammed into a fence, waiting for the wind to shift and blow them toward the next news story. Flower bouquets, candles, crosses, teddy bears, and photos build a small mountain on the sidewalk. The fences bear witness to grief.  Not again. We quietly utter or shout, “Not again.” We search for answers. We grieve. We look for justice on behalf of the victims, families, and communities. Some want lawmakers to act. Some respond with greater self-protection. Others are more...

  LCSNW Team, Anti-Asian hate crimes have risen globally in the wake of the pandemic, and especially in the U.S. This is completely unacceptable. I know you are heartbroken and horrified to see another tragic shooting, this time a hate crime against Asian Americans. The loss of life is tragic and what makes it even more painful is that every day we see the effects of racism, violence, mental illness, and trauma on the people we serve.   There is real fear in the Asian American and Pacific-Island communities right now. I want to say to the families of the victims: My heart and prayers are with you.  Like most of you, I feel helpless when these acts occur. However, we can’t remain silent.   So I say this to all of you: Keep doing what you are doing. Keep reaching out to people who need support. Keep spreading hope, compassion and love. The world and our country need you.   I also hope that you lean on each other. Reach out to HR, our EAP, or someone you trust if y...

This week we held a two-day virtual strategy meeting where your leaders at the director-level and above discussed our agency’s performance and goals. A lot of preparation and thought goes into the discussions as we look back and look forward. Here are just a few of the items that we discussed: District and Department Directors provided snapshots of the service needs around the region. Some programs are meeting/exceeding goals; others are finding unique ways to provide services in this new environment. Development is inviting donors to join our centennial celebrations.  The DEI Council extended the deadline to apply to be on the Council to March 19. We need underrepresented people to help us build our DEI strategy.  DecisionWise will conduct another employee survey this year (#3 of 3). Your feedback matters and we use it to improve LCSNW for everyone. We’re working with recruiters to fill the Chief HR Officer position. We learned more about building change competency so that we...

March 8 is International Women’s Day (IWD). People around the world will lift their voices in support of creating opportunities, promoting equality, and celebrating the achievements of women in all walks of life.  This year’s IWD theme is #ChooseToChallenge. And like the organization clearly states: a challenged world is an alert world, and from challenge comes change. As an organization, LCSNW is committed to supporting women through our services, connecting them to health, justice and hope that has the potential to change their story for the better. I’ve been fortunate to have a number of women mentor and impact me:   My mom, a fearless music teacher who taught me the love of art and music, Roxanne Davis, my favorite teacher, who had a genuine and heartfelt belief in my potential, Jane, my wife, who taught me about true partnership, Joy, my daughter, a young woman demonstrating her own strength and voice, and Susan Dreyfus, the retiring CEO of Alliance for Stronger Families,...