Although we do not have any specific update at this time, today marks an anniversary for us, personally, concerning a different initiative that made a huge impact on our lives and the lives of others in our community. Sorry if that's vague :) Just trying not to continue rehashing something terrible that happened once upon a time. ...we'd love to intimate, somehow, that it can be really hard to walk a line that doesn't actually exist. As time goes on, it can be really confusing trying to figure out if you're supposed to remember or forget; some days it can be really frustrating either way, and we don't always get to decide for ourselves what the mind holds onto and what it lets go, and when. 

Personally, I think... there's an importance to not forgetting altogether. Because it's when we fully forget about what's happened in the past, it can permit too open of a door to the cycle repeating. But it's also important to grow past what's happened in the past. That's where I see this cause heading. I think that objectively, it's clear abuse occurred. There's no reality in which the things that did happen were not exploitative, wrong, and harmful to the precious, developing little psyches of kids who should have never been treated how they were treated. But I have good faith reason to believe that this issue has been progressing on a path of healing and recovery, and that this positive growth will continue.

Injury does not rectify itself through lack of attention. It festers. It does often require intervention and proper care by attentive people who care to get better. We are all watching to see if the involved agencies are going to follow-through for the children and families involved, and if they are going to prioritize our safety and confidence over the reputations of adult who of their own free wills chose to act as they did. It is our fervent desire for those with decision-making authority to use that authority we helped allow them to have to keep our families and children on the path of healing - since unlike some, we DO trust our children and their parents. 

No matter what happens, we want everyone to know this is our community. We can work together to make it the strongest, healthiest place for everyone that it can possibly be. It's not sensationalism. It's not cancel culture. It's not unwarranted to demand people face the lawful consequences of their own decisions.

Although we have continued to grow and progress, we haven't forgotten.
We're right here right now, waiting and watching, praying and hoping.

And when all is said and done, years down the line, maybe there will be a certain day on the calendar that reminds us of this or that. We all have dates on our calendars like that. But we're here to help each other through those hard days just as much as we are here to celebrate the good days too. 

Thank you sincerely for everyone who has signed this petition and cared about this cause. We may each of us only be one voice, but together may we be loud and clear, brave and bold.

Your voice matters. Our children's voices matter.
Stay mindful we have not forgotten,
and we will see each other through.

All the best,
The people of Quincy Illinois