To the Liberty County Community,

As I prepare to step away from my role as Director of United Way’s Liberty and Long County office, I find myself reflecting on all the ways this community has become part of who I am. When I first arrived, I could not have imagined how deeply I would grow to care about this place and the people who call it home.

This is the community where my husband, Damien, and I have raised our family. All four of our children are proud graduates of Bradwell Institute, and it has been a joy to watch them grow up surrounded by neighbors, teachers, and mentors who care so deeply. Liberty County has shaped not only my career but the lives of my family in ways that we will always carry with us.

It has been the honor of my life to stand alongside so many of you—neighbors, educators, business owners, volunteers, and friends — who believe in the power of coming together to lift one another up. Liberty County has a spirit unlike anywhere else: a spirit of compassion, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to taking care of your own.

Together, we have accomplished so much. From expanding our Backpack Buddies program to include Head Start to ensure children had food over the weekends, to creating targeted Read United interventions and supporting early literacy, to hosting the first-ever United Way Gala this past March to celebrate and raise resources to help make sure our children are reading at or above grade level, we have built something meaningful. I am so proud of the partnerships we created and the thousands of lives we have touched.

To our donors and partners, thank you for believing in United Way’s mission and investing in real solutions that change lives. To the many volunteers who have given your time and energy to pack backpacks, read to children, distribute food, and answer the call whenever it came — you have inspired me every single day.

I am especially grateful to my Liberty and Long County Advisory Board. Your steady support and your willingness to roll up your sleeves and get into the trenches with me made all the difference. We faced challenges together, and we celebrated successes together, always with our neighbors at the center of every decision.

And to my family — Damien and our children — thank you for being my first and most faithful volunteers. You were always there to carry boxes, set up events, cheer me on, and pour your heart into every project right alongside me. You have given as much to the United Way as I have, and none of this would have been possible without your love and support.

Though I am moving on to new chapters professionally, our family is not leaving this community. Liberty County is, and will always be, our home. You will still see us in the stands cheering on our Tigers, shopping at the farmers market, and volunteering wherever we can.

My hope for this community remains as strong as ever. So much momentum and good work are already underway. In these times of uncertainty, especially as federal funding remains unpredictable, your involvement is more important than ever.

I urge you to continue showing up for your neighbors. Volunteer. Give. Advocate. Participate. Your voice and your generosity keep vital programs alive and ensure that no one is left behind.

To the next leader stepping into this role, you are inheriting a community that is steadfast in its belief that we are strongest when we stand together. I have every confidence that Liberty and Long Counties will continue to rise to meet every challenge with the same compassion and determination that have defined this community for generations.

Thank you for allowing me to be part of your story. Thank you for enriching mine in more ways than I can count. Though my title will change, my care and respect for this community will remain.

With gratitude and hope, 

Kristin Hopkins-Graham