As many of you know, I am a long distance swimmer, and my open water swimming season begins mid-October and runs until the Crisis Center's annual Strokes for Hope 10k swimming event on March 31st.  When I do these long swims around Harbour Island on Saturday mornings, my mind always wanders and two weeks ago, I starting reflecting on the month of November.  I consider November the Thanksgiving season, and so I was thinking during this swim of all the incredible things for which I am grateful.  Of course, my awesome family comes to mind first, but directly behind them, I am most thankful to be a part of the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay!

The Crisis Center has been so fortunate this year!  Thanks to our incredible supporters, we were able to enjoy a time of celebration on November 2nd as we completed our renovation project.  If you weren't able to attend our ribbon cutting ceremony, I encourage you to stop by and see all the ways we are better able to serve our community.  One of the coolest parts of our renovation was the installation of the biggest heart in Tampa Bay.  Positioned at our Bearss Street entrance, a massive, ten-foot heart now marks our location.  When I now give directions to the Crisis Center, it is so incredible to tell people, "just turn at the heart!"  I am so grateful to Dominique Martinez of Rustic Steel Creations and the five partner businesses who made this heart happen.  THANK YOU!!!

Yet even during this time of Thanksgiving, I know our community is struggling to cope with the tragedies of recent events - Seminole Heights, Texas, New York, Colorado, Las Vegas.  Each of these catastrophic experiences remind us that crisis and emotional trauma can impact a community at any time, and why the Crisis Center is such a valuable community resource, particularly during this time of the year.  We are here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to be our community's gateway to help, hope, and healing.

In gratitude to you and your family!

Clara