December 2025
Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.
-Maya Angelou
What am I grateful for this turkey month? I initially was planning to list all the decisions I had to make about our strategic plans that may work within our budget. But then I talk about the budget, challenges, and the struggles of our organization in almost every issue. So I thought that I share some of the gifts Platform received this year.
I am grateful for our board, the ways in which they help me develop programs and build the organization. I am grateful for our consultants (community organizer, grant proposal writer, and intern), the ways in which they contribute to the daily task of developing our programs. I am grateful for our young leaders and facilitators, the ways in which they step up to their responsibilities. I am grateful for our participants, the ways in which they come every week on Saturdays for a month to learn and grow. I am grateful for the restaurants who cater for our event, the ways in which they provide delicious food to nourish everyone. I am grateful for Community College of Aurora, the ways in which they set up the rooms for maximum impact. I am grateful for my late mother, the way in which she financially supported Platform when we needed the most. I am thankful.
Platform has been able to serve the youth and young adults of Aurora because everyone who has ever been part of our organization has given their time, resources, and energy to us. I am one person and everyone knows that one person cannot carry the weight of a whole organization. Whether an organization is big or small, we need all and every role to be filled. Don’t get me wrong; I have my set of responsibilities. I have my part but everyone ensures that our organization thrives, rather than just survive. So I am grateful.
Platform has been years in the making. Sometimes we have taken baby steps, sometimes giant strides, sometime side steps, and sometimes even backwards but we are here and we are making an impact on our youth in the city of Aurora.
Please come join us and help us continue our work.
Sam Joo
CEO and Founder
December 1, 2025