I paid a visit to our empty office in the North End recently, and stopped to read the Values we have hanging on our wall. We don’t talk about them very much, or share them outside of CTP. But as I read them, especially in the context of what we’ve faced over the past 10 months, it made me realize how resilient our CTP family has been this year. They’ve shown they care about each other as people first, as co-workers second.

And it made me think of the many people we’ve come to meet over the years who share those values. Friends, clients and partners who have purpose to what they do. A purpose that places others first, a trait that has never been more important.

This time of year is often called a Season of Hope, and as difficult a year as 2020 has been, there is certainly reason for hope as we head into 2021.

But for many children and families in Greater Boston, their hopes this year are the same as they were last year, and the year before, and the year before. A loving home, food on the table, warmth during the cold winter months, and maybe a gift to unwrap on Christmas morning.

At CTP, we’re grateful each year for the opportunity to help fulfill some of those hopes and wishes thanks to our partnership with Friends of the Children, an organization that embodies purpose. Through partnerships with schools, community organizations and the foster care system in Boston, Friends identifies children ages 4-6 who face the severest forms of adversity (62% have experienced homelessness, 54% don’t have enough to eat, 52% have a parent with substance abuse problems) and provides them with mentorship and support from kindergarten through high school graduation.

We’ve had the privilege of helping support some of the children (Achievers) and their Mentors over the years, but for so many reasons this year has taken on a different meaning. 

So as we gathered in our office last week in small groups to wrap presents and make plans to deliver them to our friends at Friends, I realized that despite all that’s happened this year – or maybe because of all that has happened – the magic of the holiday season will continue to shine brightest through the eyes of children.