The end of the year is a time of celebrating achievements, reflecting on things we learned, as well as making plans for next year. To commemorate the holiday season, LCNV staff members spent time last week volunteering together by packing bags of food for Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center's Food Bank that distributes them each week to those in need in the community. It was an honor to work side by side with our friends at Dar Al-Hijrah, where we teach our Intensive English class four days a week, and to contemplate and be thankful for all that can happen when organizations work together to build strong programs in this community (see pictures here!). At this special time of the year, we especially want to give a huge thanks to all that made a commitment throughout this year that made our programs possible and our community stronger.  This year, our efforts are rewarded by wonderful memories and stories with our students. As we look into the coming year, we would like to focus on what we want to change, and what we can do to make those changes happen.