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A Letter to My Father – Chantè Adams, CRCD Enterprises

I recently lost my father after a long battle with cancer. This will be my first Father’s Day without him. It’s going to be hard. I think of him every day. He was a proud man. And he was really proud of his children, and what we were able to accomplish. As this Father’s Day approaches, I wanted to write him a letter about the impact he had on my life, the opportunity he provided, and the work I do which honors his memory.

Daddy,

Wherever you are I pray you are happy. This will be my first Father’s Day without you, and it’s going to be hard, but I am so grateful that I had you in my life for 40 wonderful years. During those 40 years you taught me how to be a decent, kind, and caring human being who takes responsibility for my actions, even when, and maybe especially when, those actions are less perfect.

They say God calls to take you home at his will and we can’t question that even though my mind drifts to that sometimes.

One thing is certain, you were a good man; kind and loving, not only to your family, but to other people as well. You were proud, yet humble, and the love you had for your daughters and your grandchildren was so profound, it went beyond words.

While it’s true I lost you when I was already an adult, I don’t think anyone fully grows up until they experience a loss this deep. But past the pain, God made sure that before your left us you witnessed your daughter becoming the independent, self-sufficient woman you intended me to be.

I know growing up I was headstrong but I was learning and listening even when you thought I wasn’t. You witnessed as I got my first opportunity after college, at CRCD Enterprises. We were both so thrilled at this opportunity because up to that point, what I heard from other potential employers was that I made a great impression, but without job experience, they didn’t want to take a chance on me.

I suppose it’s not surprising that I wound up working for an organization that is all about providing chances to people whose employment barriers are much steeper than mine were.

It’s a privilege to be part of the CRCD family. You were on that journey with me for three years. You came to several functions and saw how important our work is, how many young men and women who didn’t have the stable foundation and love that I got from you were able to turn their lives around, get on the right path as a result of the jobs we provided, and the support we gave. I could tell how proud you were of me, and the peace that gave you, knowing I would be able to take care of myself.

I love you Daddy, for all that you are and all that you taught me. I have nothing but memories now, but that’s okay because those memories are filled with love, strength, and your wisdom. And because I draw from that vast pool every single day in my work at CRCD, what you taught me helps me help others. And that’s the sweetest memory there is.

Chantè Adams is a Human Resources Manager at CRCD Enterprises, where she helps the young men and women striving to overcome employment barriers and improve their lives, succeed.

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