2020 comes to an end with a bit more hope and light than was present most of the year. This time of year is filled with holiday cheer for many, and yet, for others, this is a time of struggle. We have all been impacted by the pandemic. It has tested our resolve, our patience, our emotions, and our health to name a few. However, this time has also made us reflect on what is important to each of us. I have come to be more thankful for technology as a means to connect and learn. I am also thankful for my family and friends who checked in on me, and for those I was able to check in on. Another thing we have learned is the importance of safety and connections!
Since March, safety has meant something very different for all of us. - from our daily routines and shopping trips to going out for fun. We here at KSRA certainly know the importance of fun for everyone, and safety remains our number one priority! Every step of the way, KSRA has worked with the DeKalb County Department of Public Health to ensure we keep within all current health and safety guidelines to allow programming to continue while keeping participants and staff safe. While it is our job to do all of this work to maintain the best programs possible for our participants, we could not do it without the trust our families have placed in us. WE all thank you for trusting us! We are honored that you allowed your precious family member to attend our programs during this pandemic, throughout these many months as it has and continues to evolve. Each and every time guidelines change, we pivot, adjust our plan, and continuing moving forward.
This year also brought a change for our former TR Program Coordinator, Allie, who left KSRA to follow her husband as he pursued his dreams of playing in the NFL. He is currently on the practice squad for the New England Patriots. GO JORDAN! We had a fantastic summer intern, Sam Morgan, who spent the summer learning from Allie, starting with us while we were still virtual and preparing for camp from our homes. Then, before we knew it, Sam was right there next to Allie at camp, and while Allie left during camp this year, Sam finished out the summer strong with all our staff. Sam formally joined the KSRA team by accepting our open TR Program Coordinator position this August. Together, Sam, Sharon and I (along with all our part-time staff) have worked to bring programs to our families during the fall and winter months.
Our offices will be closed for the holidays (on Thursday and Friday of the next two weeks). We here at KSRA wish you the best of holidays! We hope you have a safe and enjoyable time however you choose to celebrate. For all the families we have not seen as they stay safe in their homes, we hope to see you again soon. :)
Be Safe, Be Healthy, and above all Be HAPPY!
-Dawn
Are you all set for your holiday celebrations this year?
We would love for you to share the joy with the whole KSRA family! Please submit your pictures of holiday cheer to Dawn. Then, the week of December 25th, we will show off all the cheer! We are also hosting a contest, and the top three decorations win a $50 gift certificate to a local eatery. The cheer can take any form - from lights on the house to lights in the house, from a Christmas tree or a Menorah display. However your family celebrates this time of year, we want to celebrate with you! Staff will pick the winners on December 21st. You can submit your holiday cheer to DSchaefer@kishsra.org.
Contact Information:
Main Office: 779-777-7286
Dawn Schaefer, KSRA Executive Director: 779-777-7284
Sam Morgan, KSRA TR Program Coordinator: 779-777-7286
