No Longer The New Guy

Well today it is two years... two years since I became a full time employee of La Casa de Amistad.

I technically started in mid August part time helping in the evenings, doing some training, and telling people that I was the new guy at La Casa. Today I am officially two years old and wow it feels like just yesterday, but also like I have been in this office all my life.

Cruz at La Casa

I know why it feels like I just started... cause I am excited for everyday here at work. I am excited that I am still learning and growing. I am excited that I know this humble place is making a difference. I am excited to see construction equipment on a once dilapidated neighborhood. I am excited to tell folks my son is a graduate of our Yo Puedo Leer class. I am excited to attend events and proudly share with people where I work and what we do.

I know why it feels like I have been here all my life... cause it feels right. It feels right when I get to represent our community in places where we haven't typically had a voice. It feels right that daily I get to listen to community needs and help explain those needs to people who have the ability to help solve them. It feels right when I help our community solve its own problems. It feels right when we get to tell a parent that we can help them with their child, and that things will be alright.

I am excited and it feels right because I am where I am supposed to be. I am in a place where my talents are put to good use. I am in a place that I get to help others put their talents to good use. I am in a place where this amazing team that surrounds me puts our work before us and goes about finishing that work together.

So to the community... thanks for accepting this not-Latino-looking-Spanglish-speaking-kinda-white guy into the community. Your trust means more to me than anything.

So to my team... not sure any of you read my blog, and I hope I tell you face to face enough... Thank you for making me love my job. Thank you for your sacrifices and for all you do for our community

So to my board... thank you for believing in me, and thank you for stepping up when others won't, for helping out when others can't, and for keeping me focused.

Mostly to my family... for dealing with the long nights, for understanding my schedule, and for being just as much a part of the important work of this place as I am. For where one of us is, we all are, and when one of us succeeds we all do. Thank you for your sacrifices.