The Power of Community - wayne centrone

One of the things we've known in our over two decades of service, community is powerful. It means something to be a part of a community. It means something to have deep connections.

​Yesterday, in the Sacred Valley, just outside of the small town where our Casa Girasoles is located, we took a group of the boys from the home on a hiking trip. There were over 20 people in our hiking group. Ages ranged from the youngest of 6, to the oldest of over 50 (umm, that's me). 

The hike was long and straight up a mountain. It culminated at one of the most spectacular Incan ruins in the valley, a place called Huchuy Qosqo  or Little Cusco. Its an amazing place situated on the perilous side of a mountain at over 12,000 FASL. It takes your breath away . . . in more ways than one.

Aside from the beauty and physicality of the hike, it was simply incredible to spend the day with our boys. The hike was also a farewell for our Director of Operations. After over 10-years of service with Health Bridges, Ben is going on to a new role with a great not-for-profit, Innovation Law Lab. The hike was a chance for him to say goodbye to the boys he loves and cares for so greatly. He will be missed.

We are community. We're family. It is a real honor to be in the lives of the people we serve - learning about their likes, and dislikes. Helping them to overcome challenges. Celebrating their distinctions and triumphs. And, this hike was a time and place for us to do all those things. It was a deeper connection.

I am so proud of the work we do. I'm especially proud of the way we walk alongside communities, becoming a part of their worlds in deep, meaningful ways.

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