September is Child Welfare Workforce Appreciation Month, a time set aside to recognize the incredible people who dedicate their lives to protecting children and strengthening families. For us at Shelter, this month feels especially meaningful because our staff are not just part of our mission—they are our mission in action. Behind every story of resilience, healing, and hope are the people who show up day after day, night after night, for children and families who need them most.

At Shelter, our team doesn’t just clock in for a shift. They step into moments of crisis with open hearts and steady hands. They are the first face a frightened young person sees when they arrive at one of our Emergency Shelters in the middle of the night. They are the calm voice on the other end of the line when a family doesn’t know where to turn. They are the mentors who sit at kitchen tables helping rebuild trust, the advocates who fight for safety and stability, and the listeners who remind children that they are not alone.

Child welfare work is not easy. It asks for empathy in the face of pain, patience in the face of setbacks, and unwavering belief in the potential of every child. It means carrying stories that are sometimes heavy while still creating space for joy, laughter, and hope. The team at Shelter embody this calling with resilience and compassion. They show us every day what it looks like to stand beside families in their hardest seasons and help guide them toward brighter tomorrows. From advocating in court and providing in home support to providing essential mentoring of life skills so youth experiencing homelessness can learn to live independently, the team at Shelter does it all.

When we talk about impact at Shelter, we often share numbers. How many children found safe shelter, how many families received support, how many youth began to heal, but behind every one of those numbers is a staff member who chose to be present, who chose to care, and who chose to believe that change is possible. That is the heart of this work.

So, this month, and every month, we invite you to celebrate the extraordinary people who make Shelter’s mission a reality. Our child welfare professionals are unsung heroes, and their dedication changes lives in ways that ripple far beyond what we can see. Because of them, children are safer, families are stronger, and communities are transformed.

To our Shelter team: thank you. Your courage and compassion inspire us all.