As the year draws to a close, there is one thing that I hope has become abundantly clear to everyone in the Human Services portfolio…our community needs us and we need each other.

This has been a year of extraordinary stress and anxiety. We have all felt it. Nonetheless, you still showed up, whether in person or virtually, to do your job.  You knew that the citizens of Richmond were depending on you.  We have learned that neither a pandemic nor civil unrest erases the need for the programs and services that we provide for our community.

You also demonstrated compassion for your colleagues. You masked up, teleworked and social distanced, in order to keep each other safe. Thank you. You extended grace to your co-workers who experienced heartache. You became experts at smiling with your eyes.

My prayer is that 2021 is a year that brings you moments of joy, even at work; and it is a year filled with affirmations of your unique value to the city and to our community.  We need you.

Best wishes to you and your family during this holiday season.

Click here to view the entire Human Services Holiday Celebration message.