E-Newsletter
December 2020
Greetings!

I am so pleased to be rejoining the TLC Family as the new CEO. As you hopefully know, this is not my first time at TLC. I was originally hired in 2011 to be the Director of Development and Public Relations under the leadership of Mary Freeman. The biggest part of my role at the time was to tell our story and to help people become invested in our mission. I spent the next four years sharing with you and others in our community the incredible work that’s done each and every day to empower individuals of all abilities to live their fullest life.
 
Starting a new role during a global pandemic has been a bit of a whirlwind. There are so many of you with whom I cannot wait to reconnect, but these are interesting times in which we live, and we must continue to be safe and vigilant. Reducing the risk of spreading COVID-19 to our clients and staff is my top priority right now and will be until we get to the other side of this pandemic.

Recently, TLC has experienced a limited number of positive tests for COVID-19. As of this date, the cases are limited and clients and staff that have been affected by the virus have been quarantined and have remained healthy as they continue to be monitored. In response to the increase in positive cases across the state, we are taking the necessary steps to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 and maintain a safe workplace that protects the health of our employees, clients, visitors, and others.

We are encouraged by the news of a vaccine and are working closely with the NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to determine timelines and availability of the vaccine for TLC clients and staff in the coming weeks.

I’m also pleased to share that Kimberly (Kim) Williams has been promoted to President and Chief Operations Officer (COO) as of Monday, November 30. Kim has been at TLC for nearly three years and over the course of time her role and duties have continued to expand. This organizational change will allow a streamlining of day-to-day operations.

Finally, on behalf of the Board of Directors and the entire TLC staff, I want to send a BIG thank you to Mike Krannitz for his leadership as Interim President & CEO for the past 7 months. His steadfast commitment to this organization is truly unmatched. We wish you a very Happy Retirement, Mike!

I’ve said it before and I’ll continue to say it, I’m so honored to lead this amazing organization into its next 50 years. I know that when we work together as a family and a community, we can make big change happen.
 
All my best,
Sarah Crawford
CEO
Celebrating Our Heroes
We’re proud to recognize, Jihan Howard, as this month’s TLC Hero. Jihan joined the TLC family in April 2019 as a Direct Care Professional in our Tucker Residential Building and was promoted to First Shift Supervisor this past February. She lives out our mission each day with her team-player attitude and her willingness to help without hesitation. Jihan loves to make her residents smile and is always getting staff involved in various activities for the residents.

Jihan has dealt with a hearing impairment for most of her life and when mask requirements were implemented back in March, she seamlessly adapted the way she communicates with her peers and residents. She and the staff in Tucker have worked together to ensure that everyone’s on the same page and are working as one unit.

Great leadership is so important, and we’ve hit the jackpot with Jihan. She has a great sense of humor, a positive attitude, is fair, and easy to talk to. She never takes sides and always works to put our residents first, all while making sure the staff is comfortable with any decisions that are made. We’re so thankful that Jihan is a part of our TLC Family!
Gift Giving for a Cause
When you purchase "We Are Not the Same and That's Okay," you're investing in TLC's mission to empower individuals of all abilities to live their fullest life.

This book introduces children to the topic of disability by providing honest explanations and examples of ways to connect with people who look and act differently from them. Written by WRAL’s Amanda Lamb, the book is aimed at teaching children to better understand and have compassion for children and adults who are living with disabilities.

Books are available for purchase and would make a great gift for a loved one, neighbor, or friend. Proceeds from the book benefit TLC (a win-win!) and can be purchased locally at The Fort @3512 or you can find it online on Amazon or Mascot Books.
Calling all Culinary Enthusiasts
Do you have a favorite family recipe? Our preschool students are gathering recipes from TLC staff, board members, family, and friends and want to include recipes from our entire TLC Family! Please share your recipe, a picture of the final product, and 2-3 sentences about why the recipe is so special to you. We hope to collect enough recipes to create a wonderful book of memories and great food!
Join hearts with ours in support of TLC and give to our annual heart-to-heart campaign. Our educational, residential, and community support services for children, adults, and families are all made possible through the generosity and support of donors like you.
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