looking back, evolving rapidly
A letter to the community from Monique Brunson Jones, President and CEO
Dear Partners,
Approaching the end of a decade can be seen as a time for reflection. As I look back just over this past year I can say without a doubt that the Foundation has been a catalyst for legacy creation, leadership visioning and jumpstarting regional impact for some of our toughest challenges. The Foundation has been a force for change and I am humbled by your continued trust and support of us over the past 33 years.
In the pages to follow you’ll see the true essence of community, the reason why we were founded and the ideals that keep our attention focused on the whole community. Throughout the country, community foundations have been called to the task of leadership. We are happy to step up to the plate in support of a movement to make our community a more vibrant, equitable and inclusive place to love, live and grow. Families depend on the leadership of the Foundation to help create the stories you will see here. From young children to aging adults, it’s important that all voices are heard and all experiences valued.
Between the time that the Foundation planned the stories in this report and the release date, our community was blanketed with the worldwide novel coronavirus pandemic. As such, we moved our report to this online format and integrated it with the here and now. The Foundation has changed a lot in just the past six weeks. That change was prompted by the community we love and stand in the gap with. Thank you for your ongoing support during this time and always as a true ambassador and partner for the success of all of Evanston.
While life is not always easy, I’m happy that Evanston comes together to make it better. We strike a balance between the discourse and the decisions. As such, change is made. It’s my hope that you see yourself in these pages. A piece of a success story, a challenge near and dear to your heart, an inspiring family member; these are the times of our lives. Thank you for letting the Foundation share it with you.
In Highest Hopes,
Monique B. Jones
President and CEO