From Martha’s Vineyard Center for Living, thank you to all the supporters and voters who listened to the need, wrote letters, showed up at town meeting and on the ballot overwhelmingly supported and voted yes to the county purchase of the VNA building in Vineyard Haven. This was the culmination of a multi-year effort, reaching out to the community in search of a permanent home for the Center for Living and Supportive Day Program.

Thank you to the county commissioners and county manager Martina Thornton, who understood the need and saw a unique opportunity for the county to step up and, as stated in the Dukes County Charter Study Commission report, “provide a ready mechanism for Islandwide cooperation to solve common problems.” Their dedication and hard work on this project has been the catalyst to its success.

Thank you to the county advisory board members and selectmen from each town, who also saw the wisdom in Islandwide cooperation and were willing to support a unified effort to meet a growing need.

Thank you to the supportive day program staff, who have for so many years, under very challenging circumstances, provided an exemplary program with dignity and loving care to hundreds of Vineyard elders and their families. Thank you to all the families we have served, who have partnered with us to care for their loved ones, who work with us and support us every day. Thank you to the Center for Living board of directors, past and present, in particular, Karen Achille, board president, for longstanding support and years of dedication to what at times seemed an impossible task.

Thank you for all those behind the scenes who offer their time and expertise, for the many phone calls and expressions of support and congratulations. This was and is an amazing example of what the Vineyard community can accomplish, from grassroots to the municipal level, with cooperation and support for a common goal.

Thank you to all those who have offered ongoing support in so many ways. We look forward to continuing and strengthening a tradition of partnership among the six Island towns, engaging the public and nonprofit to work together for the benefit of this unique and amazing community.

Leslie Clapp
Edgartown

The writer is executive director of the Martha’s Vineyard Center for Living.