Being the Program Director of Renewal House in Danbury is an impactful experience.
Hope for the hopeless. Vision for those without vision. I always tell the residents of
Renewal House, “There is safety in a multitude of good counsel.” Often, this good
counsel comes from community-based services.
In short, I am fulfilling my calling by helping those who have been beaten down by life’s
circumstances. That they are not alone, that there is hope and vision for their future. It’s
an honor to do this work, hard as it often is.
We serve a diverse group of people: engineers, mothers, fathers, grandparents,
individuals with early onset dementia, former business owners, and former
homeowners. We encounter tragedies, losses, natural disasters, recovering addicts,
and domestic violence victims. These are the people we serve.
There is no fanfare in being the Program Director. No accolades or compensation can
match the effort required to make a difference between merely surviving and truly
thriving. The work involves advocating for housing, benefits, therapy, medical services,
fostering community, and bringing laughter. Any experienced person can do that.
But it’s a gift and an honor to impart hope, healing, vision, peace, and peace of mind;
that’s what I get to do! Helping people so they can restore their lives and independence
and believe in themselves again. May their latter years be greater than their former.
‘One life at a time.’
Maria Russo, Renewal House Program Director
#CommunityCare #HopeAndHealing #RenewalHouse #ServingOthers #MakingADifference
Director at Morgan County Job and Family Services
2moI’ve always said it takes a community to raise children but I love this quote more! If we could go back to neighbors being neighbors!