The end of the year always conjures up moments of reflection and feelings of gratitude. We think back over the year and reflect on the people who came into our lives and the opportunities that were provided. The message of gratitude and unity rings strong in the halls at Concordance. As we move into the holiday season, we asked several of our team members and participants to share their thoughts and reflections on the year.
“The Concordance brand shined brightly in 2022. It is a testament to our participants’ resilience and grit, along with the Concordance team who continue to support our participants through our healing first approach,” said Tom, a Concordance team member.
John, another team member, noted, “Concordance is a place where people from very different backgrounds find common ground in the struggles we all share as human beings. Whether it is feeling self-conscious when trying something new or needing courage to keep going after facing a loss, we all face similar growing pains. We all become stronger when those experiences are shared.”
At Concordance, we believe that it takes all of us working together to move our community forward, one person and one success story at a time. Our team members partner with our participants every step of the way through their re-entry journey.
Concordance participant Cierra shared the impact of that partnership: “When you have individuals like my caseworker, my therapist, my career coach, and the team, the overall team of Concordance, it makes everything so much better. It also, it pushes you to be the best you. When you have individuals that are there to say, ‘You got it. You can do it and I’m going to help you,’ it makes a difference. It does. I’m grateful for it”.
Our team members Patricia and LaQuitta also shared gratitude for that partnership. Patricia said she is grateful for “Concordance participants, who consistently extend generosity and patience with me as we collaborate in the classroom”. LaQuitta said working at Concordance this year “gave me the sense of fulfillment I’d been longing for in my life. I’m grateful and thankful for the team and the participants we serve.”
At Concordance, we do not see our work as a second chance, but as a first real chance at success – an opportunity to heal from trauma, find and maintain sobriety, reunite with their family, and secure family-supporting employment. We provide the services, and our participants commit to doing the hard, transformative work needed. By partnering together, we lift each other up and show the potential that exists in each of us.
We asked Concordance participants to share their experiences at Concordance and their thoughts on the program.
- Concordance means a new beginning and new start. They help me put things in order and it caused me to want to be the best I can be. I knew it was inside me all along, and Concordance helped bring it out. – Bryan
- The program, man, I’m gratefully thankful for it. Because I don’t know what I would be without it. Seriously, no exaggeration, no jokes. I wouldn’t know where I would be right now without Concordance. I feel they saved my life, truly, this time. And I’m thankful for them. – Dion
- Concordance opened up doors that wouldn’t be open to me. Concordance means freedom and stability. – Deanna
- Some support I never had, and I got it now. Anytime something happened, I call Tye, my case manager. I call Nicole. Call Tom. Call Maddie. Call anybody here, and I’m good. – Byron
In addition to gratitude for our participants and team members, we are eternally thankful for our investors and community partners who allow us to provide integrated, holistic services to our participants every day. With their generous support, we can provide wrap around services for our participants and an environment where our team members are able to be fully present.
Team member Tyrone said it best. “I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of an organization that has allowed me to witness growth in so many individuals. Our participants never cease to amaze me. As I watch their transformation, I am convinced that Concordance works on so many levels. I also feel honored to work with such a talented and dedicated staff. This past year Concordance has given me a chance to teach and also learn from every individual I come into contact with.”
We have so much to be thankful for this year: the opportunity to partner with our participants and their families as they work to transform their lives and the opportunity to build and grow relationships with supporters from across the country.
From all of us at Concordance, thank you for being a part of our community. Thank you for helping us provide first chances. Thank you for helping us move our community forward, together.