At the start of every new year, I find that it is deeply comforting and motivating to reflect on one word: hope. Hope that the coming year will be my best yet, that I can accomplish any resolutions I set my mind to. This sense of hope has been fundamental to my happiness and success, but unfortunately it is not universal. For individuals who have been beaten down by life’s hardships, hope does not always feel so tangible or present. I feel that it is my responsibility to be a source of hope for these individuals, to support them and believe in their goals until they are able to believe in themselves. I encourage you to do the same. After all, we rise by LIFT-ing others.

On January 24th, over two dozen LIFT athletes and volunteers will begin a 90-day program at the Salvation Army Rehabilitation Center in Virginia Beach. Over the course of these three months, we will sweat (a lot!), learn about proper nutrition and how to eat healthy on a limited budget, and hear from several guest speakers about goal setting, mindfulness and job readiness. Over the next three months, we will work to plant seeds of hope. We will believe in and empower one another so that we can all live up to our own potential.

– Molly, JWFF Program Coordinator