Hello reader,

With our Spring membership campaign kicking off today, we want to take a moment to thank current members like you who power our public service journalism.

Like many media outlets across the country, we faced our share of challenges in 2020. We pivoted to reporting on how the coronavirus was uniquely impacting older adults, and this meant managing our work differently. It meant operating more like a newsroom, while also maintaining our ongoing editorial initiatives and commitments, and all the while not knowing what the financial impact might be from the sources we’ve come to rely on. But with your help, we were able to continue producing journalism that kept our readers informed and connected during a chaotic and difficult year.

Because of readers like you, we brought these stories to light:

• When we knew of the immense loss many were experiencing, we offered a piece on grief and its blindsiding effects… and there is a name for it.

• When we investigated concerns that the pandemic was bringing more into view, we covered new stories on caregiving and COVID-19, including one highlighting the impacts on women and another on black male caregivers. We also brought you the latest on downsizing, fears around retirement and the resilience of older adults in 2020.

• Beyond the pandemic, we turned to the voices we’ve always appreciated — when we interviewed Linda Ronstadt, she spoke about so much of her life, including helping Mexican youth discover their roots.

• And when we asked you for the stories you want to tell, you delivered an incredible set of personal essays.

We’re excited to build on this important work, no matter what curveballs may come our way in 2021. And the best part? It’s all made possible by readers like you. 

Thank you for believing in the power of public media and journalism to make our world a better, and more informed, place to live. If you'd like to make an additional gift on top of your existing membership to help us rebuild in 2021, we’d be so grateful. You can do so here. 

In gratitude,

Colleen Wilson
Next Avenue