Letter to the Editor: A letter of thanks
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Dear friends and supporters of North Star Child Advocacy Center,
As I prepare to step away from my role as Executive Director of North Star Child Advocacy Center and begin a new professional opportunity, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported North Star -- and me -- over the past five years.
It has been an incredible privilege to serve this organization and work alongside such compassionate community partners, churches, volunteers, donors, multidisciplinary team members, and advocates. Your generosity, encouragement, collaboration, and unwavering commitment have helped North Star provide hope, healing, and a safe place for children and families during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
I am especially grateful for North Star's incredible staff. Every day, I have witnessed the remarkable strength, compassion, and dedication these women bring to their work. They stand beside children and families during their most difficult moments, often carrying the emotional weight of this work while continuing to offer comfort, hope, and support. Their courage, resilience, and commitment to North Star's mission inspire me more than words can express. Any success I have had as executive director is a direct result of having such amazing people around me. It has been one of the greatest honors of my career to lead -- and learn from -- this extraordinary team, past and present.
I also want to thank our incredible and active board of directors. Over the past five years, this board has grown and developed into an integral part of every success North Star is experiencing. Their commitment extends far beyond governance -- they are engaged, supportive, and deeply invested in the future of this organization. The heart and compassion they demonstrate for North Star's mission, as well as for the staff members carrying out this difficult work each day, is one of the most amazing things I have ever witnessed. I am profoundly grateful for their leadership, encouragement, and steadfast belief in North Star.
Together, we have strengthened and expanded programs, built valuable partnerships, increased awareness, and continued creating a community where children are heard, believed, protected, and supported. During the past five years, North Star purchased a building of its own, eliminating the need to lease space and creating a permanent home for the children and families we serve. We also added another county to our official service area, extending North Star's reach to even more children in need.
One of our most meaningful accomplishments was adding a full-time therapist to our staff. This allows us to provide specialized care to the children we serve when they need it, without requiring them to wait weeks to be seen elsewhere. These achievements represent more than organizational growth--they reflect our shared commitment to ensuring that every child has timely access to safety, healing, and hope. I am deeply proud of what we have accomplished, and I recognize that none of it would have been possible without each of you.
Although I am leaving my position as Executive Director, I am not leaving the North Star family. I will immediately transition onto North Star's board of directors, where I will assist with the incoming director's transition and continue supporting the organization's mission. I remain committed to sharing North Star's story, highlighting its vital work, and encouraging others to support the children and families it serves.
Thank you for trusting me, working beside me, and believing in North Star's mission. Your support has meant more than I can adequately express. While this transition is bittersweet, I am excited about North Star's future and confident that its guiding light will continue to shine brightly for children and families throughout our community.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Greg Collins
Executive Director
North Star Child Advocacy Center