As we begin 2026, Primo Center does so at a moment of profound challenge and consequence—for our organization, for the families we serve, and for the broader social safety net that undergirds our work. The start of a new year is often marked by optimism and renewal. This year, it is also marked by clear-eyed realism. 

We are entering 2026 amid strong and undeniable headwinds. The current federal administration’s sustained attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion; proposed and enacted reductions in homelessness funding; and threats to SNAP and Medicaid represent more than policy disagreements. They strike at the very infrastructure that allows families to survive moments of crisis and move toward stability. These shifts reverberate through our shelters, our housing programs, and our clients. They show up in longer stays, deeper trauma, increased acuity, and greater uncertainty for the families who come to Primo Center seeking safety and hope. 

For organizations like ours, these changes make the work harder—logistically, financially, and emotionally. They require us to stretch limited resources, to navigate greater compliance complexity, and to support staff who are already carrying the weight of a broken system. We cannot minimize these realities, nor should we. Naming the truth of this moment is part of responsible leadership. 

And yet—this is precisely why Primo Center exists. 

The future remains bright not because the road ahead is easy, but because our mission is essential. Primo Center was not created for times of comfort or political consensus. We were built for moments like this—when families are pushed to the margins, when systems fail to protect the most vulnerable, and when dignity must be defended through action. Our mission to support women and children experiencing homelessness is not conditional on federal priorities or political winds. It is grounded in the fundamental belief that every family deserves safety, stability, and the opportunity to thrive. 

In times of uncertainty, mission becomes an anchor. It clarifies our decisions, sharpens our resolve, and reminds us why we show up each day. It calls us to lead with courage rather than fear, with strategy rather than reaction, and with compassion rather than despair. It challenges us to be both realistic and hopeful—to acknowledge the constraints we face while refusing to surrender our vision of what is possible. 

We have weathered difficult seasons before. Primo Center has endured funding crises, public health emergencies, economic downturns, and systemic failures that left families with nowhere else to turn. Each time, we adapted. We strengthened partnerships, diversified resources, innovated service delivery, and leaned into the collective strength of our staff, board, donors, and community allies. That history matters. It reminds us that resilience is not accidental—it is built through preparation, shared responsibility, and unwavering commitment. 

As we move forward into 2026, our task is not simply to survive these headwinds, but to lead through them. That means stewarding our resources with discipline and transparency. It means advocating fiercely for the families we serve. It means investing in our people, honoring their expertise, and supporting their wellbeing. And it means continuing to imagine a future where homelessness is not inevitable, but solvable. 

The challenges ahead are real. But so is our resolve. 

The future is bright because Primo Center’s work is rooted in love, justice, and community. Because every family that walks through our doors is met not with judgment, but with possibility. And because together, we remain committed to building pathways out of homelessness—even when the path is steep. 

This is our moment to lead. And we will. 

Felicia