Dear Friends, 

I hope this message finds you well as we enter the year’s final stretch. This season offers a chance to reflect on moments of connection, growth, and gratitude – and our recent Open House was a perfect example. It was a joy to gather in the community, celebrate milestones, and hear directly from you about what matters most. 

Your feedback means everything to us, and I want to share a few key takeaways from our time together: 

• Feeling Supported: Many of you shared that the Open House reaffirmed JRE as approachable and that you feel comfortable reaching out for support and resources. Building this trust is at the heart of our work. 
• Learning Together: You asked for even more clarity on how we “learn out loud” and share lessons with the community. We heard you and are committed to finding new ways to communicate what we learn. We invite you to participate in that process in the coming year.
• Opportunities to Engage: Some of you were unaware of the opportunities we offer throughout the year. That tells us we need to do a better job of sharing what’s ahead—and there is so much more to come in 2025! 

As we look forward to next year, transparency, collaboration, and strengthening relationships will be our north star. We are deeply grateful for your partnership in improving systems and strengthening Wake County’s children’s social and emotional well-being.

During this holiday season, I hope you find time to rest, recharge, and celebrate with loved ones. Please note that our office will be closed from December 23rd to January 1st to allow our team to do the same. 

Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we can dream bigger, go further, and create a brighter future. 

Wishing you peace, joy, and a wonderful holiday season, 

 Kellan