I have spent my life in search of connection and belonging. With over 25 years working in the world of theater, I have been a member of over a hundred families, built families. Building a family requires the development of connection, worlds of respect, care and trust. As an educator, I have found that my students are more likely to succeed and excel in their work if I first create a home and a family within my classroom. As a co-parent, I have learned that ownership and belonging in the family is more important than control. Freedom built around daily, ritualized connection points has delivered my fractured family out of chaos into calm. I have devoted my life to finding balance. At my core I am a builder of families, a connector, a weaver of webs. I believe we all find meaning in our togetherness, when every person feels valued and heard, when we can all point to something and say “I am a part of that.” When we can share where we belong, we have a better chance of building something better. Belonging is the word that has called me to work with families and it is belonging that helps families become the foundation for a better future.