So, we have made another trip around the sun that is the school year. I have the privilege of starting my 4^th year of serving as Executive Director of this incredible organization – San Antonio Youth Literacy. I can’t possibly express the joy and fulfillment I experience every day knowing that when I pass to whatever lies beyond this reality, I will hopefully have contributed in some small way to the lives of children and their futures.    

Every month, our fabulous Director of Communications and Partnerships, Mary Flannigan, hounds me to write down my thoughts — to try and express the feelings of admiration and thanks that I hold for the life’s blood of our organization, our Reading Buddies. And, every month I try to find a profound quote from a renowned individual who is much more adept than I at expressing my inmost thoughts concerning our mission. This month it was particularly challenging to narrow my choice in that I found three quotes that moved my heart.  

“To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.”  – Dr. Seuss

“Unless someone like you cares, a whole awful lot of nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” – Dr. Seuss

“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” –J.R.R. Tolkien

See where I am going with these quotes? Yes, of course our Reading Buddies. Every year, we are fortunate to find individuals across San Antonio who are the personification of these insightful thoughts. Individuals who recognize that our legacy in life may not be known to the masses but is nevertheless essential to those whose lives we touched.  

From all of us at San Antonio Youth Literacy on behalf of our children, to all of our Reading Buddies and generous philanthropic supporters, thank you for another trip around the sun. Never doubt that you have changed the trajectory of the children you have mentored. Have a great summer and we WILL see you in the fall.

Deborah Valdez, Executive Director