JANUARY 2018 42 | {publisher’s page} OPEN DOORS As I reflect on 2017, I am thankful for the incredible opportunities and stories that becoming the publisher of Frontdoors Magazine has brought to myself, my colleagues and my family. But globally it was a year of tumultuous stories – national disasters, #metoo and political discourse — and personally I have been saddened by the loss of two friends. One left me the mantra to “leave things better that you find them” and the other told me “everything will be OK” as he withered away from cancer. Despite all of this, I can’t help but look at the good and hope that fills my inbox each and every day. Teenagers coming together to donate sports equipment for their peers in Houston. Bid paddles being raised across a ballroom to fund the tools needed to make sure every child at a Title I school in Maricopa County has breakfast at their desk before starting a day of learning. A little girl with a lemonade stand raising funds for cancer research in honor of her grandmother. When I read, see and experience these stories, I do my best to be present, absorb this good and remind myself that these stories are the ones that can help show others that there is a way to surround yourself with positive news, and ways you can be involved right in your own backyard. In 2018, you can expect the Frontdoors team to continue to share stories about giving and generosity and the positive impact they make across all of our platforms – the magazine, The Knock newsletter, FrontdoorsTV with Carey Pena, NEW HORIZONS, NEW HOPES AND DREAMS A new year,

JANUARY 2018 | 43 social media and our new special edition publications. Yes, this is a business, but it is also our honor. I hope you will be a part of these stories and help us share your favorite way to read Frontdoors with friends, family, neighbors and colleagues. This year has also led me to a better understanding of the massive amount of help that St. Vincent de Paul provides to the homeless and working poor in our community. At their recent community breakfast and fundraiser that raised more than $1 million for their programs and services, I had the opportunity to meet Bishop Thomas Olmsted. When we spoke about the good being done that morning, I was struck with an idea and asked him if he would be interested in sharing a new year’s message for Frontdoors readers. He agreed — and so I close my 2017, my first year as a publisher, with these words of kindness and hope from a community leader. Whether you consider yourself religious or not, I hope everyone can find some inspiration in these words: @AndreaTEvans Andrea Tyler Evans PUBLISHER Andrea “None of us are here by accident. God made each one and brought us here for a purpose. As we look with hope to the year ahead, I invite you to entrust yourself to the love and mercy of Jesus who works all things for our good. With prayers for a happy and blessed New Year.” - Thomas J. Olmsted, Bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix