This week, I will send my last letter to supporters of the Martha O’Bryan Center as my last day with the organization is September 30.

What started as progress reports when we were building the new campus became regular letters in which I shared “what I see” from our community, the needs of the families and children we serve, and the systemic issues that too often hold them back from achieving their dreams.

I have so enjoyed writing these letters over the last few years, and I thought I would share a version of my final missive here as well.

I leave Martha O’Bryan with strong leadership, a fundraising headstart for the year (thanks to the 600 who attended our recent Champions Luncheon!), and clarity of mission.

Over the years, I have written about many issues and challenges, but Martha O’Bryan’s focus is always on supporting the upward mobility of low-income families and the aspirations of young people.

We know families can rise above poverty in one generation with two opportunities. First, education and training. Second, loving guidance from a coach. That looks different in our Academic Student Unions compared to our Family Success Network, but the through line is unending belief in the potential of the client and their dreams for a better future. Rarely, does a high schooler share their hopes for a career without mentioning the dream of helping their parents and siblings.

As I leave Martha O’Bryan, I want to emphasize the fellowship and faith that is the foundation on which we build solutions to poverty. Nothing is more important.

In the video we shared at this year’s Champions Luncheon, a young mother in a very difficult situation shares that MOBC staff continued to contact her when she wasn’t showing up. She told me that, one day, staff showed up at her house (again), and she couldn’t avoid them because she was mopping her floor and had her front door open.

On that day she couldn’t pretend that she wasn’t at home and the rest is a beautiful story of her rise as a person, as a provider, and a leader of her family.

Loving relationships are everything in this work. Love fuels hope. Hope fuels change. And that kind of hope-filled beauty goes out into the world to make the improbable possible.

I will miss all the people in this work and my friends in Cayce Homes. If you’re reading this and not already involved with Martha O’Bryan, I hope you take a moment to explore our work and find a way to get involved.

I also want to thank the many donors and supporters for their partnership. You have made these 25 years leading this organization an ever-expanding joy. I will hold that in my heart forever.

With love, gratitude and respect,

Marsha