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We Are Back!
Hello! It’s been a minute since anyone posted here.
The last few months have been like I am watching a Lifetime movie that I am not sure will ever
end, and unlike those TV movies I don’t know what the ending will be. I have learned a lot
about myself going through this.
I joined the Project BEE Board September 2021 and was excited to be volunteering again. Prior
to moving here in 2011, for my job, I had volunteered often and was on several boards and
committees. I was burnt out so I didn’t volunteer for a while. When I started thinking about
doing this again, I was trying to find the right fit for me…something that spoke to my heart. I
visited with Project BEE staff when dropping off donations after a garage sale and felt the
passion implode in me. This was it!!!! I found the right place and more importantly, the right
mission to donate my time and energy to. I admit, for quite some time it didn’t take too much
time and/or energy to serve as a Board Member. I read the book I was given when I joined and
thought I was prepared for this new venture. Boy was I wrong…there is so much more to serving
on a board than what was in that book. In fact, by my recollection, there was almost nothing I
needed to know in that book. Don’t get me wrong, I am not claiming to know everything I need
to know now.
What I do know…
- This movie I am in is different…interactive and be changed by me, you, and anyone else
that is willing and able. - That I am determined to learn and grow so that my decisions and actions can help create
positive change. - That just like people say “t goes by so fast” when discussing raising children, this too
will soon be in the rearview mirror (or the horror films nobody watches again.) - I am blessed and honored to work alongside a group of AMAZING women on this board
who also are determined, passionate, and in it for the long hall. When I say, or write, this
it doesn’t have enough weight for how I feel. These are people I likely wouldn’t have
ever met otherwise, and I can’t imagine not knowing them. They each have hearts
beyond…and their families are along as supporting characters, just as full of goodness
and love as they are. - The clients we serve should not have to bear more hardships due to the actions of any one
individual. Moving forward, the focus should be on how we can make sure that doesn’t
happen and they continue to receive the resources, support, and love each of them
deserve. - That although it is a sloooooooow process, I do believe in our legal system and know that
in due time the truth will unfold to all of us.
What I have learned…
- Everyone has a story! Some are not what they would have hoped for, but in the end, they
have found themselves in a position to rely on others for a meal, shower, or somewhere
they feel safe to close their eyes for sleep. They may need help finding a job, or the right
resources for proper medical, mental health, or addiction services. Often, they haven’t been able to trust or count on people and they take a chance by relying on our staff and sometimes us for those needs. They find their “family” even if it’s temporary. - Our dedicated staff wants to do everything they can for our clients. They are each unique in the skill set they can provide for the men, women, and families we serve. This is more than just a job for them but also an outreach of their family.
- The community is AMAZING! I chose to move here because I wanted to raise my children in a place where people led by example. A place that offered things large cities didn’t. Somewhere with good people who had good values. I sure picked the right place.
- I cannot do it all! Wait, I need to tell myself that again. I cannot do it all. I/We need your help to be able to “divide and conquer;” to get things accomplished without feeling the weight of it all on our own shoulders and show those naysayers that everyone deserves a second chance to prove themselves, including us. You can help by (here is my plug): Joining the Board…Message me if you are interested, Donating a meal…we use Project Bee – Give In Kind for our meal sign-up service, Hosting a Donation Drive, or Volunteering for any old thing you think you can do.
What I am asking…
- For grace as we attempt to right wrongs, rebuild relationships, make changes to our
policies, and find answers to your questions. - For your time and/or skills that can assist us to restore our programs and continue into the
distant future because the client that checked in at 5pm tonight could easily be our
neighbor, co-worker, friend, or relative.
So, I don’t believe the genre this movie fits in is one that anyone would like, but I anticipate there are only a few commercial breaks left before this one concludes.
I am Erica Riordan, a Project BEE Board member. A daughter, sister, cousin, niece, wife, mom,
grandma, and friend. A Certified Nurse Midwife who also has a passion for mental health. Flawed, but willing to admit it and vulnerable to learning and growing.