You know it’s an election cycle when the use of the word “family” goes into overdrive. And over the past few weeks, it seems that the word itself has been defined, redefined, and debated ad nauseam. It’s tempting to use the notion of family for marketing or political purposes, as shorthand for loyalty, commitment, and unity. We might as well add baseball and apple pie while we’re at it.
But this coming October 26th, as we gather to celebrate Penny Lane’s 55th anniversary, it seems appropriate to reclaim the word and truly honor it. You see, the story of Penny Lane has always been the story of family. In 1969, Ive Markovits stepped in to provide support and refuge for young women who had no other family to rely on. To do so, Ive herself leaned on a cadre of friends and family as she worked to build Penny Lane. In that process, she launched an organization that has heightened the meaning and experience of family. As we gather to celebrate this milestone, it feels a little like a family reunion. We come together over our shared connection through Penny Lane, and together we look back in gratitude for our beginnings; we take stock and celebrate where we are today; and we look forward to the future we are building for the next generation.
I have been privileged to see firsthand how Penny Lane serves and nurtures families. Whether it’s the opening of an Abbey Road housing development, a food drive, or a summer carnival, families of all types bloom here: families by blood and by love, families formed by a shared sacrifice or by a common purpose. The work of Penny Lane is not derived from a trope or based on word association. Penny Lane understands that families make and honor commitments to one another, and that ours is not focused on itself but rather on outreach to the larger group and for the greater good–welcoming and prioritizing those who are too often forgotten, lost in the shuffle, or maligned and neglected. We don’t try to define family values; we value families.
As an integral part of the Penny Lane family, your dedication and generosity has allowed us to flourish for the past 55 years, and to always be prepared to meet the moment. Thanks to you, we are able to maintain our core commitment to youth and families by expanding our services to provide what is needed most, when it is needed most. The training and education to address the needs of our LGBTQ+ community, the mental health support to clients of all ages, and the housing for the most vulnerable among us are all the fruits of your labor. You have made an actual, traceable, and tangible difference in thousands of lives, and because of you, the staff, the clients, and the community at large – our family – is thriving. It’s a legacy worth celebrating, and it’s a legacy that must continue.
We look forward to growing older with you, expanding our family, and continuing the Penny Lane tradition of truly being there for one another. We look forward to seeing you at the Fairmont Hotel on October 26th in Santa Monica.
With gratitude,
