It’s been nearly a year since the pandemic hit America, changing our lives in ways that we probably couldn’t have imagined. Much of 2020 felt like we hit the pause button for a lot of (for lack of a better word) stuff in our everyday lives. Because of the unprecedented global event, we did the best thing that we thought we could do. We hit the pause button too. It wasn’t until the late fall, the winter even, that some of us had fleeting moments of life feeling like “the before time.” Over the past few months, when we connected with clients, we heard the same thing, over and over. How can we plan for the future when it’s so hard to know what tomorrow will look like?
We all talked about getting to 2021 and we are in a different place than we were a year ago. Our collective desire to continue to advance beyond the pandemic is palpable. There was no actual pause button, though. Time has moved forward and will continue to do so. As we get closer to more “normal” times, it doesn’t negate the real life feelings of now – fear, uncertainty, concern, anger, and grief.
For those South Jersey nonprofits, the heart and lifeblood of so many communities, that are worried about the future, please know that your worry is valid, brighter days will come, and that you’re not alone. Planning for the future is tough enough without a worldwide health crisis. Give yourself credit for all that you’ve done and all that you’ll continue to do. It doesn’t change anything, but it might provide some comfort to know that you’re in good company in managing the looming question marks. We see how hard you’re working to deliver those essential and meaningful services in the southern eight counties of our state. Thank you for persevering.
Be assured, it will not be like this forever.
