My first full year at Cradles to Crayons® has left me with plenty of perspective. Our community has so much to offer, and I’ve enjoyed listening, learning, and deepening my understanding of what makes this organization so special. Through conversations with our C2C® team, our partners, families, and communities we serve, here are five reflections I’d like to share with you.
1. We Create a Tapestry of Care
I’ve always believed that our strength lies not just in what we do, but in how we do it, and that has only become clearer as I have spent time learning the organization. As I’ve listened to our Service Partners share their experiences, the image that came to mind was a tapestry of care: all of us weaving together threads of support from volunteers, kids and families, Service Partners, and donors—each bringing unique strengths to create something greater. At a time when many feel isolated and disconnected, we’re bringing people together around a powerful purpose and making a meaningful impact on kids.
2. We’re Building Dignity and Possibility
We often call clothing insecurity an invisible challenge, and I came into this role knowing we needed to raise awareness of this issue affecting millions of children. What I’ve learned from caregivers is that clothing insecurity often goes unseen because kids and families are working every day to hide it. That means kids are hiding themselves.
What we offer is more than clothes—we are building a future where every child is seen for who they really are: their talents, their dreams, and their potential. We have the ability to remove this barrier, and our relentless belief in kids’ dignity and potential will guide our next chapter.
3. Service Partners Are Essential
Our more than 350 Service Partners aren’t just a means of getting clothing to kids; they’re critical to our impact. One thing I’ve learned this year is that our partners value the relationships we build. It’s not just about distribution, it’s about genuine partnership and shared commitment to kids. They hold trust and proximity to the families we serve, and together we achieve more than either of us could alone. That relational approach is something we should never lose, and our partners’ trust is something we will continue to earn every day.
4. We’re Learning Together
As I stepped into this role, I understood that any leadership transition creates some natural uncertainty within an organization. I’m deeply grateful for the openness and generosity so many of you have shown—staff, Service Partners, board members, volunteers, and families who took time to share your experiences, perspectives, and honest feedback. Those conversations have been one of the most energizing and valuable parts of my first year, and that listening and learning won’t stop.
I’ve learned that earning trust requires being honest about what we know and what we don’t, staying curious and accessible, and inviting people in. When we’re transparent about challenges, listen deeply, and work through complexity together, we build the trust and perspective needed to find our way forward and do even bigger things for kids.
5. We Bring Innovation, Commitment, and Joy
I expected to find a strong organization when I arrived. What I didn’t expect was how much joy exists in this work every day. Our staff shows up with creativity and determination, unafraid to face challenges, try new approaches, and find solutions that move our mission forward. That combination of purpose and joy is rare; it is what brings people to this organization, and it’s what makes sustainable impact possible.
I’m deeply grateful for the trust, partnership, and care that define this community. The impact we make is possible because of you, and I strongly believe in our ability to create a future where every child has the essentials they need to thrive.
Please consider joining our community in making a difference—give financially, donate clothing, or volunteer in our Giving Factory to help power our mission.
Christine Morin
CEO
Cradles to Crayons
