Here’s to More Moments of Compassion in 2026

My husband and I were recently outside a crowded market in Santiago, Chile, and as we looked to cross the street to leave, my phone was stolen. In a blink of an eye, panic ensued and we instinctively started chasing down the street after the thief.

What followed felt like hours, though it was only minutes. As we ran, adrenaline pumping, my mind was racing: How did that happen so quickly? How could I have prevented this? What should we do next? In those moments, everything felt chaotic—uncertain, overwhelming, and completely out of our control.

Amid the crowd there was one person who tried to stop the perpetrator, who showed compassion when it would have been easier to do nothing. That brief moment didn’t undo the chaos, but it mattered. It showed us a glimmer of humanity and hope when we needed it most.

Those emotions are still with me today, and as I’ve reflected on the experience many times since, I’ve realized how closely it mirrors what many of us felt throughout all of 2025.

Change came quickly for everyone last year, often faster than we could prepare for. In our personal and professional lives, things shifted rapidly and frequently. Jobs were eliminated. Public programs were slashed. Policies changed. Benefits became harder to navigate. At the federal level, uncertainty continues, with real consequences for families trying to maintain stability. Many of us sensed challenges ahead, but few could anticipate the speed or complexity of how they would unfold.

At Benefits in Action, this is where we help people the most.

Every day, we help move people from chaos to comfort. When systems feel overwhelming and options feel unclear, our navigators step in much like that person in the crowd: offering support to people in their greatest time of need. We help individuals and families determine what they qualify for and help them apply for benefits effectively. Accessing health care, food assistance, and other benefits shouldn’t feel impossible—yet for many, it does, and we help make what feels impossible possible.

This mission is deeply personal to me. My experience with breast cancer several years ago made clear that health insurance can be the difference between life and death. And last year, I spent several months between jobs and experienced firsthand how confusing and stressful it can be to navigate health insurance and benefits during a time of transition. I remember asking myself many of the same questions I asked in that market in Santiago: What should I do? What if it’s not the right choice? Looking back, I wish I had known that Benefits in Action was available to help guide me from uncertainty toward clarity.

Stepping into my role as CEO has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my career. Getting to know our incredible staff, partners, and funders—and hearing the stories of the lives we impact each day—has been both humbling and inspiring. Again and again, I hear how our work has transformed lives and helped families and communities thrive.

Like many nonprofits, we are facing real financial challenges with state and federal funding cuts. Yet our commitment has never wavered. What has helped sustain us is the extraordinary support from our community—through the generosity of individuals donors through Word of Thanks and Colorado Gives and our foundation partners.

As I look ahead to 2026, I am filled with hope. Our services are needed now more than ever. With continued support and new partnerships on the horizon, my vision is clear: to increase the number of Coloradans we support each year, helping to continue to build vibrant, healthy families and stronger communities.

In a world where chaos can arrive in an instant, clarity—and moments of compassion—can change everything.

P.S. If you’re curious how it all ended: the person who took my phone didn’t quite anticipate my husband’s running ability. A few minutes in, he abandoned the chase and tossed my phone into a vendor stall. We got it back—amazingly, in perfect condition. Yet another demonstration that it’s always good to stay the course and have hope.

For more information about Benefits in Action, including appointment scheduling, volunteer opportunities, and ways to donate, visit www.benefitsinaction.org