I would like to say thank you to everyone involved in fulfilling the STRIVE mission. To funders, the Board of Directors, the staff, and most importantly employers and our clients- you have given me the opportunity to participate in the most rewarding and effective workforce development program in this state.

The upcoming year's goals include expanding the STRIVE program in metropolitan Boston through the development of two new STRIVE Employment Groups (S.E.G.'s ). One located in Boston's South End through the commitment of the (BHA) Boston Housing Authority and (I.B.A.) Inquilinos Boricuas en Accion, and another located in Somerville  at The Family Center. We are now prepared to say "STRIVE's commitment to serving a diverse population in metropolitan Boston is on track," and with continued support our impact on the greater Boston region will be measured by increased employment, training, education and support in a truly inclusive manner. I am especially committed to serving the hardest to employ through the Ex-Offender Employment Program which opened at our Ruggles site in January 2003. We believe this program will have an enormous impact on quality of life issues and the city's crime rate through decreased recidivism in Boston.

New collaborations with state and local criminal justice agencies, community based organizations and faith based institutions will allow STRIVE to increase its effectiveness in all areas of service delivery while remaining focused on what we do best- assisting the hard to employ in re-establishing their lives through gainful employment which allows them to be productive members of our community.