Dear Friends,As I take time for reflection on the last day of 2020, I want to share my heartfelt appreciation to those who have supported FKO and the children and families served over the past year.First and foremost, I thank our dedicated staff who have arrived to work each and every day since March to care for children and support their needs – whether it be providing emergency childcare for essential workers, remote learning support, food and nutrition services, afterschool play and sunshine, or simply being there for heart to heart conversation. You have been the calming force and shining light for so many children and families during this time.I thank our Board of Directors for your guidance and expertise and our local public school and city leaders, legislators and community partners for your collaboration. I thank our funders and donors who allowed us the opportunity to reimagine and reinvent our work and repurpose our funds where needed. Without all of your support, we would not have been able to press on during these times. I feel very fortunate to have partners work with us in so many new and different ways, not because you had to, but because you wanted to.I thank the Mass Department of Early Education and Care for listening to us and creating frequent swift change action, for your many Town Hall meetings and for your ongoing responsiveness and flexibility to support our work during this never anticipated way of being.I am most grateful to my state-wide colleagues for your strength, trust and friendship. Your camaraderie has made the difference along these unchartered waters. Your shoulders are so strong and your hearts are so big. I look forward to the upcoming year of paving a new and improved path together.I want to offer a special virtual hug to the parents and caregivers of our children. You are your child’s primary teacher and our teacher as well. You have provided unconditional love and guidance, every step on this walk. I admire your strength and perseverance.May you be happy, may you be healthy, may you be safe and may you live with ease in 2021.Warm regards,Deborah Kneeland KeeganExecutive Director
