You may have heard that I am retiring. Yup. It’s true.

Heather McKernan kept trying to get me to write a column back in 2011. I had never considered myself a writer, wasn’t confident I had anything to say and kept putting her off. Then one day I realized I did think I might have something to say, and so it began. My first column was in the fall of 2011.

And now, I find myself writing my last column for The River Center. The title of the column, “View from The River,” was inspired by a single mom who moved to an apartment with a view of the river which brought her joy. I found I wanted to share her story with you. And so it began.

The community we serve, the wonder of the children, the parents we support, the individuals who access a variety of resources, the staff who bring their hearts as well as their skills to this work, the donors who give to keep The River Center going, the volunteers who make cookies, serve on the board, do taxes. Everyone is an inspiration; everyone has a story and many of those stories have been told in this column in the last 14 years.

I was hired as executive director of The River Center Family and Community Resource Center in 2010. These 15 years have been filled with ups and downs, challenges and victories, joys and sorrows, moments of discouragement and lots of encouragement.

As I reflect on these years at The River Center, I am grateful. Grateful to have had this opportunity to be part of the network of professionals, volunteers, donors and advocates who provide support and resources where needed and offer a nonjudgemental helping hand to our families, our friends, our neighbors and our community. This is the place we call home. I am grateful to be part of this community and to have been part of the people and organizations that work so hard to make this a wonderful place to live.

I am excited about the future of The River Center and happy that you will hear more about the work of The River Center as this column continues.  

And from me to you, thank you to all of you who have encouraged me along the way and for your continued support of The River Center.

Margaret Nelson served as executive director of The River Center Family and Community Resource Center