Author Richie Norton observed that, “Every sunrise begins with new eyes.”

 

For some of us, we’ve been seeing lots of new sunrises lately as kids transition into back-to-school routines and as the daylight shrinks.

 

As the seasons begin to shift and we start to think about fall weather, as well as wonderful celebrations like Thanksgiving and (my favourite) Christmas, I’ve been thinking about new beginnings. Not just the ones we plan for, but also the ones that arrive unexpectedly. The ones that stretch us, invite us to reimagine, and challenge us to grow.

 

In our work at Lionhearts Inc., new beginnings are more than calendar events. New beginnings are sacred spaces. They’re where courage meets hope. They’re the heartbeat of what we do.

 

Every Student Food Box and Student Education Box we ship, every time we welcome a guest in our shelter, and every time we meet someone Saturday night at The Embassy in Kingston is an opportunity to move someone towards the next chapter in their story. Maybe they just came to us seeking a bit of relief from a hard world, but our hope is always that they find more than that.

 

There’s a quiet power in beginnings. They might arrive softly through a conversation, a spark of an idea, or a question that someone hasn’t been asked before. Sometimes they come roaring in with a shift in funding, a community crisis, or a global event that reshapes how we live and serve. While people sometimes say they don’t like change, I bet most of us would be OK with winning the lottery despite all the ‘change’ it might bring to our lives. They come with challenges, but also with opportunities.

 

Behind each one of those new stories being written is you - our volunteers, staff, and donors -making space for hope to take root. So, as we start to think more about all that we have to be thankful for, here’s an early thank you for all the ways you contribute to our mission year-round.

 

With gratitude and hope,