Navigating the Future Together: A Year-End Reflection and Call to Action

As 2025 draws to a close, it’s natural to reflect on the journey we have shared and look ahead to what lies beyond. Our path has not always been smooth, but like a determined crew on a sailboat facing the vast ocean, every person involved has been essential to our progress. This year-end report celebrates the strength, commitment, and teamwork that have brought us to this point and invites everyone to continue steering toward a hopeful future.

Lessons from the Maiden Crew: Strength in Unity

In 1989, a group of women set out to make history by competing as the first all-female crew in the Whitbread Round the World Race. This grueling 33,000-mile challenge tested their skills, endurance, and resolve. Despite skepticism and harsh conditions, they secured second place in their class. Their success was not just about sailing; it was about trust, determination, and every crew member fulfilling her role.

This story mirrors our own experience. Like the Maiden crew, we have faced economic challenges and societal shifts that tested our mission. Yet, each person connected to our cause—staff, volunteers, board members, and donors—has been vital. Together, we have navigated storms and kept our mission afloat.

The Roles That Keep Us Moving Forward

Our organization thrives because of the diverse roles that come together like parts of a well-oiled machine. Here’s how each group contributes:

• Staff: The hands that carry out daily operations, ensuring programs run smoothly and goals are met.

• Volunteers: The heart of our community, offering time and energy to support those we serve.

• Board Members: The navigators who provide guidance and strategic direction.

• Donors: The wind in our sails, providing the financial resources that keep us moving forward.

  
  

Every role matters. Without one, the journey would stall. This interconnected effort has allowed us to reach milestones that once seemed out of reach.

Weathering Challenges and Embracing Opportunities

This year brought its share of rough seas. Economic downturns tightened budgets, and social challenges demanded new approaches. Yet, these obstacles also opened doors to innovation and growth. We adapted programs to meet changing needs and strengthened partnerships that amplify our impact. For example, when funding uncertainties arose, our monthly donors stepped up, providing a steady stream of support that allowed us to plan confidently. Volunteers expanded their roles, helping us reach more people and deepen our services. These actions demonstrate the power of collective effort.

The Importance of Monthly Donors

Sailing into the future requires steady winds. Monthly donors provide that consistent support, enabling us to:

• Plan long-term projects with confidence

• Respond quickly to emerging needs

• Maintain essential services without interruption

  
  

By becoming a monthly donor, you become part of the crew that keeps our mission moving forward. Your ongoing commitment ensures that we can face any storm and seize new opportunities to serve our community.

Calling More Hands on Deck

Our journey is far from over. This Fall, we lost a beloved staff member and member of ROC Chapel, Cathron Hamrick. Cathron served in a part-time capacity as a bookkeeper for us and her faithfulness and skill helped us navigate some challenging times. She is greatly missed and we are forever grateful for how she stepped in during the challenging COVID years and helped us stay on course.

To continue making progress, we need more people willing to step up and serve alongside us. Volunteering is more than giving time—it’s offering hope and building community.

Whether you can help with events, outreach, or behind-the-scenes work, your contribution makes a difference. Joining our volunteer team means becoming part of a supportive crew working toward a shared goal.

Looking Ahead: Navigating Uncharted Waters Together

As we set our sights on 2026 and beyond, the path ahead may be uncertain, but our commitment remains clear. Like the Maiden crew, we will face challenges with determination and trust in one another. Every role, every effort, and every contribution counts. Look at what we've done in 2025 that will continue to build in 2026.

• We served over 40,000 people in our Food Pantry and expect the need to grow as we also serve free meals on Wednesdays to the communnity

• We served 9 people in our first year of Dayspring Adult Day Services (www.dayspringads.org) and that number continues to grow.

• We provided necessary clothes, household items, and furniture to our community as well as hundreds of free vouchers for emergency needs

• We are launching clinic and well-being services to pregnant women in our community due to a grant from the Oklahoma Department of Health

• We secured a grant from the Alzheimer's Foundation to provide respite for caregivers on Wednesdays nights and Sunday mornings, so that they can attend church, run errands, or meet with friends while their loved one with memory issues is cared for by compassionate professionals

• We are launching L.I.F.T. for children and youth to bring critical services to them such as physical activity classes, spiritual nurture, and reading assistance.

Together, we can continue to build a stronger, more resilient community. Join us by becoming a monthly donor or volunteering your time. Your support is the wind that fills our sails and the steady hand that guides us forward.

Let’s navigate the future together.