It has become a “fool’s errand” to try to predict what our world may look like in the next few months, let alone in the next year. So, as we set off into the vast unknown that is 2022, here at Boca Helping Hands (BHH), our approach is to focus on being as prepared as possible for the uncertainties we will face this year.
That is why we are so grateful for the strong support you provided during our 2021 year-end fundraising. Beginning with our Thanksgiving Box Brigade (TBB) and continuing throughout our end-of-year Annual Matching Campaign, we have been overwhelmed with the support provided by our TBB sponsors and volunteers, our annual matching fund partners, and of course, all the community partners and donors like you who helped us to surpass our goals for each campaign.
That strong support has placed us in great stead as we begin the year with the goal of sustaining the program expansions and enhancements we implemented last year. Going forward, we will also continue to pursue even more impactful ways of helping our clients attain financial independence.
Last year, more than 200 job training students received scholarships to upgrade their skills; approximately half are still enrolled, while almost 90 of those who completed their studies have already found better-paying jobs. Thanks to your support, we’ve now added three apprenticeship tracks and are working to increase graduation and employment numbers even higher this year.
We are also better prepared to address some of the challenges that we can already foresee. We expect national supply chain constraints will continue limiting our supply of donated food. Thankfully, with your ongoing support, we have been able to purchase enough food to maintain the quality and quantity of our pantry bags.
When life gives you lemons, they say you should make lemonade... not mentioning that you need more than lemons to make lemonade. Thanks to partners like you, we feel ready for whatever life throws our way this year. So bring on the lemons!
