It has been an honor to serve as NCCEH’s first staff and shepherd our Coalition over the past 17 years. When I joined the Coalition, I joined a movement that was just beginning. A new vision had been set—a vision that focused on ending homelessness instead of merely managing it, placed people experiencing homelessness at the center of designing assistance, looked to change policy instead of people, and focused on access to and support in housing as the central solution.
I joined the Coalition inspired by a call for systemic change and justice, with the belief that if we chose to do something different, we could end an injustice that had become thought of as unavoidable. I’m leaving the Coalition knowing this type of change is possible because we’ve achieved so much. A movement that started out as inspirational speeches and new approaches has become a new system that I delight in hearing others now assume it has always been this way. It is my sincere hope that the change we created together, the new normal, will continue to be challenged and improved upon as we continue to strive for a true end to homelessness.
It has been an honor to learn from you, lift up your experiences and creative solutions, and develop programs and systems that respect the dignity and worth of each person. As I take stock of all that we have accomplished, I am humbled by the resiliency, passion, and commitment from so many individuals that have made this change possible. Our ripples extend into the far reaches of North Carolina and beyond, and I am humbled to have had the opportunity to play a role in influencing our state and nation’s response to housing crises.
Though we have made great progress, the work is not done, but with new commitment from the federal and state government and a willingness to equitably address homelessness at every level, we should continue to set our sights on the vision we originally had when the Coalition was created.
Throughout the past year, I have come to appreciate how multiple things can be true at one time, how multiple feelings can be present at once. I have been worried while filled with hope. I have been angry while filled with gratitude. I have been weary while heartened and continued to push on. I have celebrated new funding on a scale we haven’t seen before while being clear about the challenges we face handling it through our underinvested systems. The need is astounding—and so is the current opportunity. I am excited about stepping into a new phase of change while taking a deep breath and honoring the weariness that grew from the last.
I am excited to support new leadership at NCCEH and a new wave of change throughout our system. I am ready to take stock, reorient, and rededicate myself from a different vantage point, with all of the lessons you helped me learn, to roll up my sleeves, and continue to work alongside you. I hope you will join me in continuing to dream big, act boldly, and move with purpose while staying rooted in the concrete and practical so that we can make an immediate impact to build upon.
There has always been a recurring series of questions at NCCEH Board meetings: How will we know our work is done? How will we know when it's time to close our doors? The Board, staff, and members of NCCEH have always chosen to focus on the mission and work and to create an organization that exists to serve. I know this spirit of working ourselves out of a job and imagining a world where our efforts can be turned to another space will continue. Thank you for allowing me the privilege to serve.
With appreciation,
