A Message from Our President & CEO, Daniel Burke

As we look back over the last few years and take stock of our progress, one thing is clear: Everyone in our Lifeworks community – our outstanding employees, the individuals we serve, their families, and our many partners and supporters – all have played a part in our success. Overall, 2022 was an outstanding year, despite the ongoing challenges such as the workforce crisis that has impacted all aspects of our lives. Our programs continue to welcome back participants in increasing numbers. We are grateful for the flexibility and resilience of the people we support, which is matched only by the dedication of our staff, who have truly been superheroes.

Our staff had to be flexible on where, when, and how they work. They have shown repeatedly their innovative and creative spirit to meet the needs of the individuals and families we serve. Equally heroic during these last few years are our Lifeworks families. Their patience, flexibility and dedication has been beyond belief. They have endured program interruptions, screenings, testing affecting their loved one in our care while managing through their own lives as well.

We are looking ahead to the coming year with much excitement. We continue to take strong measures to increase hiring and grow our staffing levels to meet the demand for services, to continue to expand our programs, and to increase access and opportunities for more the people we serve. The additional state and federal support we have received over the past two years has allowed us to make much-needed investments in staff compensation, but we must advocate to make these increases permanent. We must also recognize the financial support of our donors and our community and business partners. Your impact has been invaluable.

We have worked with our Board of Directors on a strategic plan that will outline our direction and goals for the next three years, both in the provision of services to those we serve and as a chapter of The Arc, continuing to be a leading advocate for increasing services to the people we support and their families as well as and advocating for the needs of our employees.

Finally, we are especially excited for the return of in-person events, especially the Lifeworks’ signature Empower gala celebration in May 2023 for the first time since 2019 and our Employment & Life Enhancement program banquet in the fall of 2023.

Whatever your role is within our Lifeworks community, thank you for being a part of our success and we look forward to working with you on our future!