Dear Partners, Customers, and Caregivers of the Aging and Disability Resource Center
The events of this past week have been beyond comprehension. We have seen the terrible injustice, we have seen the terrible discrimination, we have seen the violence and unrest around the country. As an agency who “puts people first,” we struggle to understand why so little progress has been made. How is it that all the statistics collected through all our community programs indicate that so many people of diverse backgrounds have need, and yet they are the least served? How is it that people coming together to share a common message for change, become the target of the hate? How is it that our differences create greater divides? How is it that when we say we are “all in this together”-we don’t really mean “all”?
This morning as I approached the ADRC building I was greeted by barricades. Barricades meant to protect the protesters as much as the buildings around them. They remind us to hear the message of oppression and inequality. We are not looking out and asking why no one has fixed this. We are not looking out and asking how people can feel this way. We are not looking out and asking who is going to create the change. We are looking out, but also in. We are evaluating what we stand for, what our vision and values mean, and how we can be part of the solution. What can we do that will change our path as a community? How do we listen, really try to understand all sides of the anger, and respond in a way that brings people together?
We have spent the last two years building a new vision that speaks clearly to our values. That is, “All people are valued, celebrated and connected to a life of possibilities.” While it’s lovely to have nice words on a page, and we recognize we must live it-even when it’s hard, we must understand the anger and fear people feel that represents years of oppression. We must build systems that allow everyone to find meaningful work, have the same access to the best education, and have policies that level the playing field. We must fight the misinformation and stigma that surrounds us.
We have spent the past months mitigating the pandemic. We have worked to make our programs virtual, engage those who have computers to connect with us, and produced lots of educational programs while keeping people safe. This is critically important and serves many people well. We do know that this is only half of the story. There are so many people without access to computers and the skills to use one. They need food, they need rent, they need people. If we continue to build systems only for people who can access them, we will be leaving the “all” out. We can do better.
ADRC stands with all people who don’t have basic human necessities. We also stand with all people who have suffered in the face of authority and policy that does not reflect them. This is not a “big city” problem. This is our community and we will choose where we go from here. The days ahead are uncertain but voices are ringing out. Let’s all listen.
Sincerely,
Devon Christianson
Director of Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC)
