Wouldn't it be nice if all the changes in our life were this easy to make? However, most major life changes take months, even years to accomplish.  In the book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen R. Covey wrote, "Change -real change-comes from inside out.  It doesn't come from hacking at the leaves of attitude and behavior with quick fix personality ethic techniques.  It comes from striking at the root-the fabric of our thought, the fundamental, essential paradigms, which give definition to our character and create the lens through which we see the world".

 

Many of us spend a lot of time looking for a quick fix or a short cut to the change we want to see in our life, our relationship, our family or our career.  This time spent is time wasted - there are no short cuts and quick fixes that will give us the permanent, long lasting change we are looking for.  For those making changes, the road can be long and difficult with many obstacles and set backs.  Sometimes the only thing that keeps us from quitting is the knowledge that someone is there cheering us on, someone who believes in us - even when we don't believe in ourself.  The families we work with have made or are in the process of making major life changes.  Recently, we received a letter from a woman who had made that journey of change.  In it she stated, "My biggest accomplishment was that I went to school and I am now a Medical Assistant.  Sometimes I can hardly believe it myself!  This is another thing I couldn't nor wouldn't have done without the support and encouragement to accomplish this goal.  They (Hope's Door staff) knew I could do it even when I didn't think I could." 

At AAFV and Hope's Door, we are committed to helping each individual reach their full potential; to help them see beyond their present circumstances and reach for a better life. As we cheer these women and children along their journey of change - we need you supporting and cheering us on.  Ghandi said, " You must be the change that you want to see in the world".  We may not be able to change the entire world, but we can change 'our' world.  Your donation and your support help do just that - changing our world right here in the Treasure Valley.