When I think about hope, I don’t think of it as something light or easy. For me, hope has always felt steady, grounded, and sometimes even hard-won. It doesn’t ignore the realities of pain or struggle. Instead, it’s the quiet but very persistent reminder that even when the path ahead is uncertain, it’s still worth taking the next step. I ask you to pause for a moment and think about the last time you struggled with a situation, a decision, or a person.  Maybe it’s a combinati

When my Uncle Jim VanMoorleghem was drafted in 1967, he was just 19 years old. The letter began the same way thousands of others did during the Vietnam era: “Greetings: You are hereby ordered for induction into the Armed Forces of the United States…” If you didn’t have a deferment, you knew your turn was coming. Jim went through training at Fort Hood, Texas, before being sent overseas. He served for a year and a half, 9 months in Vietnam. He stayed connected with family the b

Black History Month in 2026 feels different to me. Not heavier exactly, just more honest. I fi nd myself less able to hide behind the idea that “we’ve come so far.” It arrives in a world that feels unsettled and tired, where conversations about race, history, and justice are often rushed, avoided, or reduced to something easier than the truth. So, I find myself asking how I show up in this moment, and whether I’m willing to honestly examine my own privilege. When I do that, I

On Good Friday, the disciples believed the story was over. Hope seemed gone. Justice seemed defeated. Love seemed powerless. But what looked like the end of the story was actually the turning point. Good Friday reminds us that even in the darkest chapters of our lives, God may still be writing the ending. I have experienced a moment like that in my own life. I spent eight years in a job that slowly drained the life out of me. At first, I told myself it was just a difficult se

More than 60 years ago, brave individuals stood at the forefront of the Civil Rights Movement, demanding dignity, freedom, and equal...

As summer winds down and school buses start rumbling down the streets again, I find myself thinking about fresh starts. There’s something...

by Mikaela VanMoorleghem, MPA Bad has always been my favorite U2 song. I’ve loved it for years without fully understanding why—it just...

Instead of policies that prioritize profits at the expense of workers or vulnerable communities, the Catholic Church calls for fair...

As we step into a new year, it’s natural to look for hope and fresh beginnings. Yet, for some, the challenges of the past may linger,...

Externally, many nonprofits seem like they have it all together. They’re raising funds, advancing their missions, and impacting...

As we mark the anniversary of September 11, 2001, our hearts naturally return to the memories of that day—images of unimaginable loss,...

As the November presidential election approaches, the significance of your voice cannot be overstated. The right to vote is a fundamental...

Hey there, fellow leaders! Have you ever found yourself in a leadership role, pondering whether to go full-on dictator or to channel your...

As flags wave proudly, we are invited to give thought to the birth of our nation, but also the principles of "justice & equality" for all.