2024: A Year of Resilience and Gratitude at LESC

As we wrap up 2024, reflecting on this past year at LESC brings a powerful sense of resilience and gratitude. Valerie Walters, CEO at LESC, described this year as one of “mixed emotions and realities.” Amidst challenges, LESC’s commitment to helping individuals in need remained steadfast. Valerie’s insights capture the obstacles and triumphs of the year: “We faced a lot of challenges, but we’re grateful that we were able to be purposeful and motivated to overcome those challenges.” Despite the hurdles, LESC maintained our services and introduced new programs like problem gambling support, while growing our team and impact.

Resilience: A Driving Force

At LESC, resilience is woven into the fabric of every effort and achievement, and for Valerie, it’s a principle that defines the organization’s spirit. Resilience, as Valerie explains, means that “challenges are motivation.” It’s the strength to adapt to challenges, learn from them, and keep moving forward—qualities she sees daily in LESC’s staff and clients.

Reflecting on the past year, Valerie shares, “We have seen success in terms of our clients. Most of our clients who have completed their goals are now living in some kind of transitional or permanent supportive housing and are working. Yes, we have lost some along the way, that’s part of the journey in recovery.” This testament to LESC and our clients highlights our organization’s unwavering commitment to helping individuals overcome adversity.

Rather than viewing challenges as setbacks, LESC embraces them as opportunities for growth and learning. As Valerie puts it, “When I reach those hiccups, those bumps in the road, what I do, I pause and ask myself: what is the lesson here for me?” This proactive approach to problem-solving has allowed our non-profit to adapt to changing circumstances and continue to provide vital services to the community.

For LESC’s staff, resilience has been equally essential. Our team faces challenges daily, from demanding caseloads to complex client issues. Yet, they persevere, driven by a deep sense of purpose and a commitment to making a difference. Valerie emphasizes the importance of fostering a positive work environment, saying, “If I get frustrated, my staff is going to get frustrated. If I feel like, oh, this is it, and throw my hands up, my staff is going to do the same thing.” Valerie empowers her team to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals by leading with positivity and resilience.

Valerie believes that resilience isn’t just an individual quality but a collective force that propels LESC forward. Our organization works to instill resilience in our clients, empowering them to overcome addiction, homelessness, and other challenges. By providing support, guidance, and opportunities for growth, LESC helps individuals develop the skills and mindset needed to build a better future.

Gratitude: The Heart of LESC

Gratitude is a powerful force that can transform our lives. It allows us to focus on the positive aspects of our experiences, fostering a sense of optimism and well-being. At LESC, gratitude is deeply ingrained in our culture.
For Valerie, gratitude is a daily practice. She begins each day by expressing thanks for the simple blessings in her life. She shares, “Gratitude means everything to me. When I wake up in the morning, I have to tell you that’s the first thing I do. I give thanks to God for a new day, for new mercies, and preparing me for whatever comes my way.”

At LESC, gratitude has different meanings across the community. For staff, it often means seeing positive changes in the clients they serve. Valerie shared, “I think gratitude to my staff means seeing the clients they work with see positive outcomes, hearing their stories, and knowing that they’re part of that journey.” For clients, it comes from daily victories like moving further from addiction, reuniting with family, securing jobs, and finding stability. Valerie explained, “For our clients, gratitude is hope. It’s a reminder that they’re moving toward a better, more stable life.”

Reflecting on 2024, Valerie expressed deep appreciation for LESC’s staff, describing them as “committed to the mission of the agency.” Despite the year’s challenges, the team worked with determination and unity, ensuring LESC’s mission reached those who needed it most. Valerie is particularly grateful for her leadership team, which she calls a “unified force” that works with honesty and mutual support to overcome challenges together. “Without them, I can’t get the job done,” she said. “We work as a team, not against each other.”

Valerie also feels immense gratitude for the resilience of LESC’s clients, who have embraced hope and shown incredible determination in their recovery journeys. She describes them as people who “understand that there are struggles, but at the same time, there is hope, and it’s the hope that drives them toward success.” This hope helps clients rebuild their lives, reunite with family, and gain independence.

How You Can Show Gratitude for LESC

There are many ways to support LESC and show gratitude for our impact on the community, whether through donations, volunteering, or spreading awareness. Expressions of gratitude from the public enable LESC to continue its life-changing work. For those who wish to give back, even small acts of kindness and support can go a long way in helping our team at LESC continue to help individuals on their recovery journeys.

By sharing our story and encouraging others to support our work, you can help us make a lasting impact on our community.