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Three years ago this month, I stepped into the role of CEO at Esperanza En Escalante — and it has been one of the most meaningful chapters of my life. For years in my career, I found myself sitting in administrative buildings, removed from the people we served. At Esperanza, I walk outside my door and I'm right in the middle of this amazing community — kids running around, dogs waiting to get loved on, and veterans eager to share their accomplishments. That is the heart of the mission, and it's the job for me. When I think about what makes this work so special, it always comes back to the veterans we serve. These men and women are some of the most resilient, kind, hardworking, and — I have to say it — fun people I've ever had the privilege of knowing. They inspire me every day with their courage and their commitment to building a new path forward. I came in with years of experience in homeless services, but nothing quite prepared me for how deeply I would come to adore the veteran community. And we've accomplished so much together! We've modernized our case management systems, professionalized our case management services, added intensive substance abuse programming, and thanks to this generous community, we renovated our front office, replaced all our roofs, replumbed and sprinklered our buildings, and renovated houses across our campus. I'm so grateful for our many partners and all of the amazing crafters who bring quilts and gifts for our veterans. Those acts of love and generosity mean the world to the people we serve. None of this happens alone. I'm blessed with an incredible board of directors who believe in our mission and a team of coworkers who show up with heart and dedication day after day. They are the backbone of everything we do on this campus. To the veterans and families we serve — thank you for trusting us. To my board, my amazing work family, our partners, and our community — thank you for making this journey with me. It is such a joy to be part of this great mission. Here's to many more years of service, growth, and hope. 🇺🇸💛 #EsperanzaEnEscalante #Veterans #HomelessVeterans #Tucson #NonprofitLife #GratefulHeart