I started working for Connect for Kids back in May 2003. My first day on the job actually happened to fall during a staff retreat at Jan Richter’s farm in rural Madison County, Virginia. My initial thoughts, as Jan handed over some homemade jam, were, “Who exactly are these people—and what makes them tick?”

I’ve learned a lot about their inner tickings over the past 2 ½ years. Jan, CFK’s Advocacy Director, is a busybody in the best sense of the word. Her phone can ring at any hour, and she’s always ready to connect the players who can make good things happen for children. She cares immensely about kids—and her dedication is infectious. She’s shared countless books, ideas and even chocolates with me, all of which I’ve greatly appreciated.

Meanwhile, underneath her calm exterior, Cecilia Garcia, CFK’s Executive Director, is a crusader for social justice. Whenever I write about American Indian issues, she’s quick to ask me questions—always searching for answers to making the world a better place for the disenfranchised. Plus, she’s more than willing to share the wisdom that she’s learned as a result of her own experiences. And because we both hail from Michigan, we have shared many a laugh about the Detroit political scene.

Jeremy Isett, CFK’s Webmaster, is also pretty good at making me laugh. Once, I saw him accidentally push two wine corks into the bottle over the course of one evening, which made me marvel all the more at his technical skillfulness within the ever-changing land of Web sites. In his time with CFK, Jeremy has made the site so much better—easier to navigate, more functional, and a thousand times prettier. I can’t wait to see what he does in the future.

Then there’s my editor, Susan Phillips. I think it’s safe to say that we’re both pretty headstrong, so I wondered at first how we’d get along. I am happy to report that we have worked exceptionally well together. She has often amazed me when I’d turn in copy that looked pretty good to me, but then she’d find countless ways to make it sharper and better organized. I think that Susan’s strong commitment to her own family and friends have inspired her work in many ways. I have been lucky to work with her.

During my time here, Caitlin Johnson, Carlos Birdsong and several others have also helped make CFK sparkle. I’ve loved getting to know all of you.

Unlike many Washington, D.C. organizations that I know of, above all this staff believes in working as a team—which is why it’s bittersweet to be leaving the team. I will soon become a reporter with Inside Higher Ed, covering higher education issues on a daily basis. While I’m excited by the challenges that this new adventure will entail, it will be hard to forget the special ticks of my CFK family. Let me just say that you’re lucky to have them.

If you’d like to stay in touch with me, you can reach me at robertcap@gmail.com.