I Want to Start a Movement: Everyone Goes Home

Thanksgiving brings back some big, wonderful memories for me. In my family, there was no such thing as a ‘small’ group dinner for Turkey Day; we normally hosted 20 people or more. Our Thanksgiving dinners were served in three rooms because it was simply impossible to fit everyone in one space; we had to set up card tables and folding chairs. At a young age cooking and setting the table became my holiday tasks, and I was only twelve years old when I was put in charge of making the full dinner for all 20 of our Thanksgiving guests. I was pretty impressed with my achievement!

For many of us, home is a place we learn to serve, as well as where we are first appreciated for doing so. It is where we learn to host others — like our mother’s one friend who had nowhere to go one holiday, or those relatives we only saw once a year. It is a place where we gather with joy to celebrate the past, the present, and express our gratitude for it all. It’s where you probably baked your first pie, or donated food from for the first time to share with your local food pantry. The best of ‘home’ is where you learned to give, and we hope that it inspires you to give in KenCrest homes as well.

Our vision for the people that we support is that they are included in everything that is meaningful and valuable to them, and to us. As we approach this holiday, ask yourself — how can we be sure we are bringing all the dimensions of preparedness, of giving, and of ‘home’ to the big day? Regardless of where you work at KenCrest or what your role may be, look around.

What are you giving this year?
What do the people we support have to give?
How are we encouraging the sharing of our talents?

Let’s celebrate with gratitude and giving back to those who have found their ‘home’ with us. What does it mean to you that everyone goes home?

For all that your do at KenCrest, please accept our gratitude this Thanksgiving.