An Open Letter to Our Community from FrontLine Service Executive Director Susan Neth
December 31, 2020
Dear faithful community members,
This year has been a challenge for us all. It has been particularly difficult for those individuals and families already struggling with poverty, homelessness, and mental health or addiction issues. FrontLine’s greatest priority has been to maintain the safety of our staff and our clients and to keep our agency’s doors open to those most in need.
So many of you helped to make this possible.
Thank you doesn’t begin to express the depth of our gratitude.
In those earlier days of the pandemic protective masks were impossible to access. With over 300 staff, we had no means of ordering or obtaining what was needed to keep our staff, our clients safe. For the first time in the agency’s history, closing our doors to those in need was a real threat. And then the deliveries started. Boxes of cloth masks. One after another, each time we were close to exhausting our supply, another box arrived. Created by friends, family, strangers, some sewing through the night, boxes of brightly colored hand-made masks helped make it possible for us to continue to serve those in our community.
The response, support, and financial assistance from individuals, businesses, partners, sponsors, funders, and the philanthropic community were almost immediate. The commitment from our community to sustain the critical services we provide was evident. Donations, flexibility, and emergency funding made it possible to continue to reach out to those most in need while taking critical measures to maximize safety. Those dollars made it possible to ensure that we were taking every step possible to protect against COVID-19.
Our staff - FrontLiners. I am continually humbled by the work that they do, the spirit in which their work is carried out. And the depth of their commitment to those we serve. While it felt like so much of the world hit the ‘pause’ button, FrontLiners continued efforts to reach our clients, even in the face of this pandemic, 24/7, to respond to those in crisis. Our services remained uninterrupted. And we adapted, quickly.
Our annual art exhibit was transformed from an actual exhibit to one which could be viewed online so viewers were still able to enjoy the works and artistic expressions of those who we serve.
The annual Camp Bridges event, held in the summer in the Metro parks, became an actual care package, in the form of a backpack full of school supplies, therapeutic crafts, and fun games for children who have witnessed violence in their home, giving them a small break from a difficult year like no other.
Staff responded anonymously to NorthCoast 99 surveys and for the 8th time, the agency was honored with this award, designating FrontLine as one of the 99 best places to work in the Northeast Ohio area.
While our annual holiday Twinkle Shop event could not be held, we received so many donations from individuals and organizations that it was possible for us to ensure that children and families who had experienced trauma and homelessness, received holiday gifts and a celebratory meal.
We are grateful for so much that occurred in 2020 but we are certainly looking forward to turning the page and starting 2021.
We hope to return our annual events to in-person gatherings once again. We are committed to continuing our work, within and outside of our organization, to address social injustice and break down the barriers of oppression that have impacted countless lives through generations. And we look forward to implementing new innovative programs and enhancing current ones.
2020 has been a year requiring adaptation and drastic change, of problem-solving, loss, but also one of enhanced partnerships and gratitude. We look forward to sharing 2021 with you and all that the New Year brings.
Sincerely,
Susan Neth
Executive Director
FrontLine Service