Kristian Rose left his staff position at Love146 last month after spending three years helping to launch our Houston office. He recently sent the Love146 staff an email with a story and an encouragement. Insights like this remind us of why we miss having Kristian in a leadership role, and why we are grateful that he is continuing to journey with us as a trusted advisor.
I met a woman the other day at my son’s soccer game who said, “are you the guy who works for Love146?” I explained that I recently changed jobs but was still involved as a volunteer. She asked where I worked now, and I told her that I was now employed by a private industrial services company. She replied: “oh, so you have a real job now!”
I’ve received this same sentiment from numerous people over the years – ranging from subtle intimations to outright declarations – that working for a non-profit is something less than “real” work. And though I don’t know exactly what this particular woman meant, I know that she was wrong.
I don’t know what voices are rendering commentary on Love146’s life’s work this week, but let me offer this perspective: thank you for doing real, world-changing work! The 40-60-plus hours you spend working each week are real hours. The tens of thousands of vulnerable youth you’re helping reach are real people and it’s making a real difference.
The children residing in the Round Home are real children who are now safe from real danger from real predators.
So keep up the great work. Thousands of people like me are really proud of what you’re doing, really cheering for you daily, and really honored to be running alongside.
