All of us at Environmental Works wish you and yours a safe, healthy, and peaceful holiday season. As Roger Tucker winds down his tenure as our Executive Director, he shares a few words. And, check out the new commemorative bike rack we've installed at Fire Station 7 in Roger's honor!
Traditionally, our last newsletter of the year is an upbeat reflection on the year's accomplishments. However, since March, it’s been an ongoing challenge to continue our work without direct connections to partners, friends, coworkers, and team members. While we were fortunate to be able to persevere in designing affordable housing and community facilities, we recognize that 2020 has been an especially difficult year for many. Much more needs to be done to address the inequities and hardships that this year made apparent. It’s almost impossible to fully identify, acknowledge, and address these imbalances in the short term. So we change our focus to next year, when we hope and plan to:
Continue to work with other nonprofits to address inequities in availability of affordable housing, child care, and community facilities, all the more glaring due to the disruptions caused by the pandemic.
Explore and utilize new methodologies that allow for more outreach and community engagement during the design process, even while pandemic restrictions are in place.
Leading us in these efforts will be our new Executive Director, Jess Zimbabwe, officially beginning her tenure on January 1, 2021. We are excited for the opportunities that Jess's leadership will bring to EW's mission-driven work. Welcome, Jess! I hope you all will have a chance to meet her during the year.
Lastly, we hope that the vaccines will allow for larger in-person gatherings so we can celebrate EW’s 51st year in the latter part of 2021. We will continue to monitor the State’s guidance for in-person events, and send invitations when appropriate.
Thank you all for your tenacity, flexibility, and perseverance through an unprecedented year. May you find moments of peace among the disruptions of the year, take heart, and stay safe and healthy!
In collaboration,
Roger Tucker
Outgoing Executive Director, Environmental Works
Roger with the new commemorative bike rack honoring his 23 years of service to EW, recently installed at Fire Station 7. Thanks to all who made this beautiful bike rack possible!