Connecting with gratitude

At 63, most of my peers feel they’ve built something meaningful over 30-40 years – a family,

a career, a company, a network of trusted relationships.

For those in semi or full retirement, a new chapter is here, one with the means and freedom

to choose what’s next.

In talking with friends a few years into retirement, I’ve noticed it’s easy to stay busy, but

harder to feel connected and purposeful. What sustains us may change slightly after our

careers end, but I maintain our happiest days will still occur when we’re able to use our gifts

to help others.

The Grateful Connector (TGC) is a website with feature articles focused on nonprofit

organizations that meet essential human needs. The profiles are designed to introduce

people to nonprofits that could significantly benefit from their unique talents, wisdom,

experience, and relationships.

Visitors to this website have arrived at the stage where they no longer think, “How can I

succeed?”, but rather, “How and where can I best make a difference?”

Personally, I love promoting events that raise awareness for great nonprofit causes. For

others, it might be serving on a board, assisting with administrative tasks, mentoring a leader,

tutoring a student, visiting the elderly, or doing building maintenance. In my wife’s case, it’s

growing healthy produce at Kinship’s hoop houses. We know there’s hundreds of

opportunities to serve the less fortunate in our community.

My hope is that TGC will be a source of promise and joy for you by providing ways to enrich

the lives of others who need your help.

Matt Smith