First in a series of three special issues

This is a season of fleeting magic and enduring tradition.

A time for temporary wonders and longstanding rites.

Among the short-lived pleasures of the holidays: sitting down to dinner with out-of-town guests; and, waiting for a toddler to realize what's underneath the wrapping paper.

On the list of things that last: memory, nostalgia, love and hope.

This year more than others, I'm mindful of the dual nature of the season. Of the way that the permanent can so readily mingle with the provisional.

I suspect this is true, in part, because of my job.

At the Community Foundation, we have, since last December, been focused on meeting the basic human needs of local residents most at risk from the economic downturn. To do so, we have paid attention to the urgency of the short-term situation, while also developing a strategic approach for the longer haul.

More specifically, in partnership with our donors, we have distributed nearly $500,000 to bolster safety net nonprofits: those that provide food, shelter, counseling and emergency assistance to area families.

We have done so in two parallel tracks.

The first addresses immediate needs like groceries, rental assistance, unpaid utility bills and counseling for heads of household struggling to find work and to care for their families.

The second aims to strengthen the long-term economic stability of working families. In this area, our grants have helped people hold onto their homes and their savings--assets that can protect low- and middle-income families from falling into poverty.

Tomorrow, I'll talk about some of the things we've accomplished since last December with Safety Net Grants, and the following day I'll describe our plans for the future.

Some of the measures we intend to take will be temporary.

Others, like the best aspects of the season, will last for several years.

Terence Mulligan
President