What an incredible day! On behalf of everyone at The Heights, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to each of you who helped make our 2026 To Be Determined Annual Luncheon such a tremendous success!
To our generous sponsors, dedicated volunteers, community partners, donors, and every guest who joined us—THANK YOU! Your generosity, encouragement, and commitment to our mission are what make this work possible.
This year's theme, To Be Determined, was more than just a theme. It was a reflection of how far we've come and a reminder of the determination that drives us forward. Because of supporters like you, The Heights continues to grow, expand services, and provide safety, hope, and a path forward for survivors of domestic abuse and sexual assault in Ellis County.
The success of this luncheon is about so much more than a single event. It's about a community coming together, standing alongside survivors, and making a lasting difference in the lives of individuals and families who need us most.
We are determined to continue this work, and we are incredibly grateful that YOU are determined with us!
If you were not able to attend the Luncheon but would like to donate to The Heights and be determined to help victims on their journey to safety, hope and a future, click here.
Also, as we continue to celebrate your generosity we have included the two videos that were played at the Luncheon below.
Camp Hope 2026 Video
Public Safety Video
Leading with Curiosity: Choosing Questions Over Assumptions
At The Heights, the work we do is about more than what we accomplish. It is also about how we show up for one another, how we navigate challenges, and how we create an environment where people can grow, contribute, and thrive. Our culture keys serve as guideposts for these moments, reminding us that our work is a balance of calling and performance. We are called to meaningful work, and we are responsible for carrying it out with excellence, intentionality, and care.
This month, we are focusing on one of those keys: curiosity.
Curiosity may seem simple at first. We often associate it with asking questions, learning something new, or exploring an unfamiliar idea. But in the context of our culture, curiosity is much more than a desire for information. It is a posture of openness that values questions over accusations or assumptions. It is the choice to pause before reacting, to seek understanding before drawing conclusions, and to approach difficult situations with a willingness to learn. That posture matters because our work involves people, relationships, differing perspectives, and sometimes challenging circumstances. Misunderstandings happen. Expectations are not always aligned. We may interpret someone's words or actions through the lens of our own experiences, frustrations, or assumptions. When that happens, our first instinct can be to react, defend, or assign blame. But a reaction rarely creates the space needed for understanding or resolution. Curiosity invites us to take a different approach. Instead of assuming we know why someone made a decision, we can ask, “Can you help me understand your thinking?” Instead of assigning intent to someone's words or actions, we can ask, “What might I be missing?” Instead of allowing frustration to shape a conversation, we can pause long enough to consider what is really happening and what might move us forward. These questions are not signs of weakness or indecision. They are signs of maturity and leadership. They reflect a commitment to understanding the full picture rather than settling for the version that first comes to mind.
Practicing curiosity also requires us to be willing to look inward. It is easy to focus on what someone else said, what they should have done differently, or how a situation could have been handled better. It is harder, and often more valuable, to ask ourselves what we are bringing into the conversation. Are we listening to understand, or are we preparing our response? Are we open to feedback, or are we protecting our position? Are we seeking resolution, or are we simply trying to prove a point? Self-reflection allows us to recognize when our own assumptions, emotions, or experiences may be influencing how we interpret a situation. It helps us remain non-reactive, even when conversations are uncomfortable. Being non-reactive does not mean avoiding hard conversations or lowering our standards. It means choosing to respond thoughtfully rather than allowing our initial emotions to determine our next steps. This distinction is especially important as we balance calling and performance. Our calling reminds us why the work matters and the responsibility we have to the people we serve. Performance calls us to pursue excellence, address challenges, communicate clearly, and hold ourselves and one another accountable. Curiosity helps us bring these two commitments together. It allows us to address what needs to improve without losing sight of the people involved. It helps us pursue accountability without defaulting to blame and maintain high expectations while remaining open to another perspective.
Ultimately, curiosity is not just about asking better questions. It is about what we do with the answers. When we approach one another with openness, listen without immediately defending ourselves, and remain willing to reconsider our assumptions, we create opportunities for trust and progress. We move from trying to determine who is right to understanding what is needed. We move from reacting to responding, and from assigning blame to working toward resolution.
As we move through this month, I encourage each of us to consider where we can practice curiosity more intentionally. In our team meetings, in our everyday interactions, in moments of disagreement, and in the conversations we might otherwise avoid, we have an opportunity to model this culture key. We will not always agree. We will not always get it right the first time. And we will inevitably encounter situations that challenge our patience and perspective. What matters is how we choose to approach those moments. Curiosity asks us to pause long enough to understand before we decide how to respond. It reminds us that there is often more to a story than we initially see and that meaningful resolution begins with a willingness to listen, learn, and reflect.
At The Heights, the culture we build is shaped by these everyday choices. When we lead with curiosity, we strengthen our relationships, improve how we work together, and create space for both people and performance to flourish. Let’s continue choosing questions over assumptions, understanding over accusation, and intentional action over reaction. In doing so, we live out not only the culture key of curiosity, but also the kind of culture that allows our calling and our performance to work hand in hand.
Jennifer Salzman
Executive Director
The Heights – Ellis County Family Resources
