Today’s thank you is to the lovely Lenette (she’s fourth from the left in the back). 

In 2004 I started a new job as a grants officer for a local United Way, and while I knew enough about two areas for which I was going to be responsible (school-age and early childhood education), there was one I hadn’t a clue about, it’s called “family support”.  The Administration for Children & Families defines family support in this way:  Family support services are community-based services that assist and support parents in their role as caregivers. Such services can take many different forms depending on the strengths and needs of the family, but their overarching goal is to help parents enhance skills and resolve problems to promote optimal child development.

The person who taught me what family support is and how it’s done; done well, done effectively, with compassion and commitment, is Lenette Azzi Lessing.  Last spring the agency she founded celebrated her with a garden dedication at the main office of the organization.  It was a very nice ceremony, so many different people came out to honor her; former and current employees, board members and most importantly, the clients who benefitted from her hard work.  It was a true example of “community”.  Thank you, Lenette!

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