Dear Friends,
As John F. Kennedy said, “We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives.”
Today, I write to express my gratitude for you.
Thank you to the parents who were sitting around a table in 1974 who inspired our mission of helping people live independent lives. To the leaders who came before me, thank you for building the foundation of our organization. To the people I work alongside each day, thank you for your commitment to the work we do, your willingness to think innovatively to ensure we can continue providing services, and also expand and grow to serve Montana’s most vulnerable.
To our frontline staff, thank you for your dedication to helping people live independent lives. Our mission is not possible without you.
To the people we serve and their families and loved ones, thank you for trusting us to be a part of your lives. It is our honor to know and serve you.
It is incredible to think of the number of people we have served during the last 46 years, since AWARE was founded as an incorporation in 1976. On April 27, we celebrated our first-ever AWARE Day. This day was not only a celebration of the people we are currently serving and the people currently on our team, but a celebration of the rich history of AWARE. It was a great day to pause, reflect and “lighten up and laugh.” You can read more about the day later in this issue of INK.
Again, thank you for being a part of our team. Because of each of you, AWARE will continue serving Montanans well into the future.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Matt Bugni- CEO