A few weeks ago, I was shopping at a hardware store picking up some items to decorate my home for the holidays.  It was a cold day, so I was wearing my favourite sweater – the 360°kids hoodie.  When I went to purchase my items I was greeted excitedly by a young man who blurted out “you know 360°kids – That place saved my life!”  He proceeded to tell me that it was through 360’s iGrad program that he finished high school and 360°kids helped him get the job at the store.  He continued to ask me about how the many staff who helped him were doing, naming them and telling me how they impacted his life.  I feel like I floated out of the store, overwhelmed with emotion and a deepened sense of honour to be the new Chair of the Board of such an impactful agency that truly changes lives and course corrects destinies.

As we close out a year that has been filled with challenges on many fronts, I want to extend heartfelt gratitude to the Board for its dedication to the success of the agency; the leadership team for its tremendous effort in navigating 360°kids through an extraordinary year with extraordinary pressures; every staff member for their daily work in providing support and hope to our youth in need; and our partners, key stakeholders and donors who generously support the programs to ensure they have maximum impact in the community.

I sincerely wish everyone a well-deserved restful, joy-filled and safe holiday season, and may 2021 be a year of health, happiness and renewed hope for us all.

Laura Williams

Chair, Board of Directors