December 2025 Newsletter

Danielle A. Keyser 

Dear Neighbor,

When families walk through our doors, they often come with just a few bags and the hope that tonight they won’t have to worry about where they’ll sleep or what they’ll eat. This year, one of those families was Cynesse and her children. What they needed most was simple: a safe place to land and the support of someone who believed in them. At Good Neighbor Center, they found exactly that. 

 Today, employed and in permanent housing, Cynesse has her confidence, her routine, and her sense of stability back. She’s not alone in that experience, as about 90% of the families we help into housing are still there a year later. 

 Your support makes that possible, and we’re deeply grateful. As we prepare for 2026, it will matter even more. Washington County’s public safety levy has been redirected away from emergency shelters, and the alternative funding available provides substantially less support. At the same time, things like rising rents, longer housing wait lists, and less public funding mean that more families are experiencing housing instability for the first time. 

Your gifts keep our doors open when a family like Cynesse’s needs us. They ensure families have the time, space, and support services to get back on their feet. 

 Will you make a year-end gift to help us meet this moment? 

 Thank you for helping us move toward a community where every family has a safe place to call home and the resources they need to thrive. We cannot do this work without you.

In gratitude,

Executive Director