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Biweekly Community Update
January 17th, 2023
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Happy Tuesday!
These first days of 2023 have been filled with glorious sunshine that spurs us on!
This week, we celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, and his heroic leadership with the Civil Rights Movement which he broadened to the larger movement of economic justice. This also provides an opportunity to slow down and look at the many heros around us - who choose to do the right thing no matter the obstacles they are faced with.
This year, our objective is to start each day, each program, each encounter, with curiosity. We aim to ask more questions, seek deeper understanding and cultivate compassion for each and every community member’s unique perspective. Because it’s within curiosity that true diversity, equity and inclusion can evolve.
Want to share your ideas with us? Click here and let us know your 2023 objectives.
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Diversity, equity and inclusion, or D.E.I. for short, are concepts that have now become buzzwords. Recently someone asked us to elaborate upon what those concepts look like in action for LIFRC. So it seems like a good place to start the year, reaffirming our values and how we define them.
Our number one goal is making sure everyone has a place within our community - a sense of belonging- and that their talents are celebrated.
One of the many ways we work toward this goal this is through partnerships.
Last year we began nurturing a relationship with Sherwood Community Services, a nonprofit in Lake Stevens, WA, that works to create an inclusive society where children and adults with disabilities have the ability to live full, independent lives as part of their community.
Rather than simply teaching the skills one might need in order to achieve employment, Sherwood actively seeks to meet each individual where they are. They look for the unique superpowers of each individual and then search for or create an opportunity to put those superpowers to work.
That’s how Anthony came to work for the Lopez Island Food Share last June.
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Anthony is experiencing the world of work for the first time. Each Tuesday he arrives, accompanied by Evyn Hansford, Employment Specialist at Sherwood Community Services, and begins unpacking produce, organizing and rotating canned goods, straightening shelves, and sweeping floors so that when the Food Share shoppers arrive on Wednesday, they encounter a tidy, well-kept space.
"Thanks to our amazing volunteers and Anthony's strong attention to detail, when the Food share opens each week, it just looks beautiful," said Pedro Mendes, Food Programs Manager.
When we asked Anthony if he would like to be interviewed for one of our spotlights, he said, "That would be exciting!"
So without further ado, allow us to present to you a short interview with Anthony, the Lopez Island Food Share Production Assistant.
LIFRC: Tell us about yourself Anthony
Well, I was born late in December of 1999, the end of a decade and the start of a new millennium. I was born in Arlington but I live here on Lopez. I love Star Wars and I have two cats: Arlo and Pumpkin.
LIFRC: What do you like best about working at the Lopez Food Share?
I really like sweeping the floors. It gives me great satisfaction to see them clean. I also enjoy the opportunity to meet and interact with people and help them with their bags.
LIFRC: What would you like Lopez residents to know about you?
I also work at the Lopez Library on Mondays, returning books to their rightful place.
LIFRC: Thank you Anthony for all your hard work and for taking time out of your work day to help us get to know you a little better!
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While we are on the subject of the Food Share, we want to take a quick moment to remind you that the Food Share is switching to an online registration platform called Link2Feed. Link2Feed allows us to safely and privately collect and report on the needs of the Lopez community.
IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY REGISTERED IN-PERSON, you can do so by clicking here.
You will never been required to provide proof of your answers while registering and you only need to register once. For step by step instructions, on how to register, click here. Para obtener instrucciones en español, haga click aquí.
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Other Ways You Can Collaborate
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- Share this email with a friend.
- Hit reply to this email and inquire about becoming a volunteer.
- Consider making a one-time or monthly pledge to support the phenomenal work of our community leaders.
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