Dear Wonderful ANV Supporters,

I wish I were a poet. To be able to express myself in a way that you all could visualize what I have seen the last 5 years.

The sadness and the joy the danger and the bravery. The persistence of LIFE and innovation and the tenacity and perseverance in our community.

I wish I were a better storyteller. To share with you the amazing stories of our youth and where they come from and where they hope to go. The changes they want to make and their ferocious protectiveness of their families. Their drive to be good and do good.

I wish I were a writer. To give you pages and pages of the chronicles of the work it’s taken to get ANV to this point. The people we’ve met. The partnerships and donors we’ve cultivated. The folks just like you and me who want this country, this community to be based in Truth. Justice. Freedom for all.

I would tell you about our Staff, Board, and volunteers who exemplify those values we all hold dear.

I wish I were a poet. I would weave together stanzas of the bravery and hope in our community to stand up in the face of adversity, racism, sexism, homophobia, xenophobia, inequity, and ableism. While “Deeds, Not Words” is our name and vision, Stephen King’s ubiquitous line: “Stand, and Be True” is the beating heart of who we are.

The rhymes, the cadence, the sounds to express the strong, steady beat of that heart escape me though. But our work marches on – we will continue to host our seasonal holiday camps, provide healthy produce where there is little access, bring kids out into nature, hire from a community where jobs are scarce, pay living wages to our staff, and, most importantly, resist against hate, exploitation, and inequity in all of its forms. We will nurture every child we encounter, knowing each has the same potential as any one of us. The power to Stand. And Be True. To effect Deeds, Not Words.

You have that power now – please donate today.

Sadly, I am not a poet. Instead, I am grateful. And humbled by the love and trust you and our community places in me and ANV.

These past 5 years have gone by in a blur. It is only now, in this moment that I can sigh and say… to all of you, my loves: Thank you. I see you. I appreciate you. We thank you.

Keep resisting. I’m here with you. I believe in you.

If you believe in ANV, in me, in our community, and our potential, please donate today to ensure the next #5YearsofDeeds. Over the next few weeks, we will be sharing more stories of how far we have come and our vision for the next five years – feel free to share your own stories about ANV and your dreams for our future on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Happy holidays to you and yours.

Love from me and mine.

Kelly D. Carlisle and Team ANV