A Message from CEO Bob Arnold
As we slowly begin to recover from the widespread COVID-19 crisis, we now find ourselves facing a second pandemic that is tearing both our communities and nation apart at the seams. Although systemic racism has plagued our country for centuries, it remains one disease in which we’ve yet to muster the will necessary to eradicate it from our lives.
We are all reeling from the horrific and senseless killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor. The bigotry, fear and discrimination surrounding the circumstances of their deaths – as well as those of so many other people of color – further illustrate that racism continues to eat away at our individual souls while destroying the moral fabric of our country.
For too long, we’ve let the members of our Black and Brown Communities shoulder this burden alone. It is past time that each one of us stands up, accepts responsibility and does our part to break down the walls that support structural racism.
At Family Centers, we assist individuals and families overcome poverty, inequity, educational disparity and other insurmountable obstacles each day as they strive to achieve their goals. As the root cause of these challenges, we emphatically believe there is no place for racial injustice in our society and will continue to be a catalyst for systemic change.
Family Centers has pledged to work with our nonprofit partners, school systems, governmental bodies and faith-based groups in an effort to collaboratively facilitate constructive conversation, unite our community and lay the groundwork needed to bridge the divide caused by racism. Our staff will also continue to work in accordance with our core values, which encourage mutual respect and celebrates the ideas and diversity of everyone.
There is no doubt that these are highly charged and emotional times. As a person of privilege, I find myself struggling with profound disappointment, sadness and disgust. I can only imagine how people of color are coping at this time. While there are no simple solutions to these complex challenges, Family Centers will continue to use its voice to represent those who have been silenced and promote change for the overall good of our community.
Bob Arnold, CEO
Family Centers
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