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July 26, 2024
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Hey everyone!
Well.... we here on the stateside certainly witnessed a wildly unprecedented ending this weekend! While no one knows where the political narrative goes from here, it has been interesting to see so many people make this interesting turn to the hagiographic. Some of the words being shared seem more suited to a eulogy than a mere stepping away from a role, but I am reminded that part of the reason I run The Wind Down is because most of us in the west have no language --- other than the language of death --- to talk about endings and transitions, even when they are premeditated and desired.
As you scroll through the links below, maybe you might think about what you'd say to the people going through these closures to thank them for their service and remind them that an ending doesn't have to mean the end.
1) Canada's only indigenous-focused charter school to close
Indigenous charter school Mother Earth's Children's Charter School in Alberta is permanently closing due to low enrollment. The school was, in part, an effort to employ a "more indigenous" approach to education and encourage language revitalization. Unfortunately, the school was plagued with challenges such that even enthusiastic parents ended up abandoning the charter for the newly-built public school, which was closer to most families and also offered busing.
2) Strategic closure of Alabama birthing center to leave many stranded
In the southern US state of Alabama, one of the state's remaining birthing units is being shuttered to meet the requirements of a federal grant that will help them save their emergency care department. Grove Hill Memorial Hospital will discontinue its labor and delivery services in mid-August, leaving women in the area without access to critical services. This follows a trend seen around Alabama and throughout many rural US communities.
As a state with poor maternal health outcomes and increasingly draconian rules barring abortion access, Alabama is poised to become an even more perilous place to be a person with a uterus.
3) Rhode Island health center's disappearance set to isolate vulnerable patients
A community health center in one of Providence’s poorest neighborhoods will be closing July 31, shutting down a source of primary care for more than 4,500 of some of the state’s most vulnerable patients. Olneyville Health Center, which is part of the nonprofit Providence Community Health Centers, served as a walkable clinic for a patient base that often lacked insurance and reliable transportation.
4) LGBTQ+ health center's sudden exit shocks community In even more devastating health news here in the US, many patients and employees of Rainbow Health were awoken this week to the news that the center had closed. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Rainbow Health grew out of the Minnesota AIDS Project, which started in the 1980s. The closure followed years of financial challenges and a recent vote of no-confidence for the CEO.
5) Albany, NY college wraps up operations
In what has become an absolute wave of university closures, College of Saint Rose has now graduated it's final class. While the process of closing after over 100 years of existence is no easy feat, they have done an admirable job of offboarding students with extensive FAQs and a comprehensive "Teach Out" plan to make sure all students land on their feet at new institutions.
6) UK sanctuary charity draws to an end
After 7 years of operation supporting refugees and asylum seekers, City of Sanctuary Southampton will be closing. The group notes that the work will continue through a coalition of partner organizations upholding the city's commitment to sanctuary.
7) Lincolnshire, UK cat shelter hits pause
Lincs Ark cat, kitten and rabbit rescue has made the difficult decision to suspend operations in the midst of an overwhelming and heartbreaking, post-pandemic epidemic of abandoned pets.
Editor's Note: Yes, it took every fiber of my being not to make the pun!
Yours in the end,
Camille
P.S.
If you felt like you struggled with what to say to a person who is in the midst of a closure, you might wanna check out this blogpost for tips.
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Closing Remarks is brought to you by The Wind Down, a consultancy for exploring, building, designing, and delivering better non-profit endings.
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