Message from the President: Searching for the New Normal

As we settle into the third winter of COVID, it feels as if everyone’s dearest wish is “just to get back to normal.” But what does that mean? Gather in person or on Zoom? Masks or no masks at the grocery store? Include vaccination status in an RSVP? It’s impossible to go back to the days when we didn’t have to think about such things, and equally impossible to predict what the future holds in terms of pandemic challenges and responses. It seems that the “new normal” is “no normal.” 

In one area, though, we can count on consistency. Our students at the Community Learning Center have never let go of their dream of improving their lives through education, and the staff is rock-steady in their commitment to helping the students achieve their goals. Face to face or online, masked or no, the CLC continues to pursue its mission with grace, flexibility, and a good measure of ingenuity. 

We at the Friends of CLC are pleased to bring you word of new faces and new initiatives in our ongoing work. In this newsletter, we introduce two new Board members, both with deep roots at CLC; and we tell you about an exciting new program that, like everything we do, helps give our students a better life by building their skills and knowledge. 

Through these turbulent times, you—dear readers and donors—have been an all-important presence enabling us to keep fulfilling our mission. Thank you for your continued support. We wish you a joyous holiday season and a happy and healthy 2023. 

Gratefully yours, 
Phyllis A. Benjamin 
President 
Friends of the Community Learning Center