b'NEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECT RESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRE-NEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEW REFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPOND RENEW REFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRE-The Erie County Community Foundation has always been about championingNEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECT the best, most sustainable ideas to help ensure a thriving future for our community. But this year adversity tested our ingenuity and strengthened our resolve,RESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRE-demanding that we put many of our plans on hold to explore innovative solutions to the more immediate problems brought on by COVID-19. Moving forward, were armed with lessonsNEW REFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPOND RENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECT learned and prepared to renew our commitment to working with our community partners toRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRE-improve the quality of life throughout Erie County. In planning for the 25th anniversary of theIronically, Amys words proved even moreNEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECT ECCF in 2020, a Community Needs Assess- relevant as the year moved on and theRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEW REFLECTRESPONDRE-ment was conducted in 2019 to help identifyspread of COVID-19 tested the world. The the needs of the people of Erie County andlaunch of The Mindfulness Project could notNEWREFLECTRESPOND RENEW REFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECT provide guidance in setting our priorityhave been more perfectly timed.RESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRE-grantmaking strategy. Several focus areas emerged, including mental health. In The Mindfulness Project is a partnership NEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECT that encourages individuals of all ages to cultivate a practice of quietRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEW REFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPOND RE-RENEW reflection in naturea greatNEW REFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRENEW resource for renewal. MindfulnessRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRE-areas have been added to three MetroParks. Castalia Quarry MetroPark now has a MindfulnessNEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECT Walk trail that features benchesRESPONDRENEW REFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPOND RENEW REFLECTRESPONDRE-and meditative instructions along the path. Benches and hammocksNEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECT meant for enjoying the sights and sounds of nature have been added to Wake- RESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRE-response to that assessment, the ECCF kicked off the year 2020 with a $25,000field MetroPark and The Enchanted CottageNEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEW REFLECTat Eagle Point. The Enchanted Cottage also grant to the Erie MetroParks to invest in thefeatures kid-sized instructional yoga signs. RESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPOND RENEW REFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRE-mental health of Erie County citizens.Months before social distancing, remoteErie MetroParks and the Erie County NEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECT Community Foundation encourage you to learning and overall worry about the threattake time away from the noise of everydayRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRE-of the coronavirus, Amy Bowman-Moore, Executive Director of the Erie MetroParks,life and begin cultivatingNEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEW REFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTa practice of mindfulness RESPOND RENEW REFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRE-expressed gratitude to the Foundation andin nature. Visit any of IF YOU WATCH HOW announced a plan for the funding to enhancethe trails to unplug. NATURE DEALS WITH their family-friendly outdoor spaces. Shedisconnect.discoverNEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECT said, It has always been the park districtssomething new.ADVERSITY, CONTINUALLY mission to strengthen the bond betweenRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRE-people in nature. I feel in these stressfulAfter the year that weveRENEWING ITSELF, YOU all had, there couldnt beNEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEW REFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPOND RENEW REFLECTtimes more and more people have discov- a better time or place toCANT HELP BUT LEARN.ered that the outdoors can help them copeRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRE-in a relaxing way.refresh and renew.BERNIE SIEGEL, M.D. NEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECT RESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRE-8 NEW REFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPOND RENEW REFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRE-NEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECTRESPONDRENEWREFLECT'