While I can't really give you this beautiful turkey with all the trimmings during this Thanksgiving season, I would like to offer you a few reflections as thanks for your support for my nearly thirty years with the DeLaSalle Education Center!
When I was hired by Godfrey Kobets in 1980, we were facing lean times due to federal budget cuts.
Our Board of Directors helped to develop annual fundraising benefits, and we began an aggressive development department. We survived those tough times, and grew stronger.
Our Board of Directors helped to develop annual fundraising benefits, and we began an aggressive development department. We survived those tough times, and grew stronger.
As the 1990s approached, we achieved recognition from the US Department of Education, starting over 70 alternative schools locally and around the country.
We operated a residential drug treatment program for five years, took over the management of two schools located in juvenile court facilities, and even began and operated an alternative middle school for six years.
In 2004, we began buying several adjacent properties for an eventual school expansion. In 2010, we hope to break ground on the first addition ever to DeLaSalle’s existing campus. (Hence the reason for my "hard hat" in the photo above!) We're already halfway towards our $6.2 million goal for this capital project!
We operated a residential drug treatment program for five years, took over the management of two schools located in juvenile court facilities, and even began and operated an alternative middle school for six years.
In 2004, we began buying several adjacent properties for an eventual school expansion. In 2010, we hope to break ground on the first addition ever to DeLaSalle’s existing campus. (Hence the reason for my "hard hat" in the photo above!) We're already halfway towards our $6.2 million goal for this capital project!
This addition and the overall renovation of DeLaSalle will secure the repair and upkeep of the existing 60 year-old facility. It will create a new and protected entrance-way for DeLaSalle students from Troost Avenue and offer a concrete foundation for DeLaSalle’s future.
After my own personal tragedy in 2002, I began to look more deeply at ways that I could contribute to DeLaSalle’s future and to offer healing and support to others who suffer. This summer, I decided to formalize my plans, and our Board of Directors offered me the opportunity to become the first Director of Sustainability for DeLaSalle Education Center starting in 2010.
In this new position, I will focus on completing the fundraising for the capital campaign and then raise money to help secure the future of the organization.
After my own personal tragedy in 2002, I began to look more deeply at ways that I could contribute to DeLaSalle’s future and to offer healing and support to others who suffer. This summer, I decided to formalize my plans, and our Board of Directors offered me the opportunity to become the first Director of Sustainability for DeLaSalle Education Center starting in 2010.
In this new position, I will focus on completing the fundraising for the capital campaign and then raise money to help secure the future of the organization.
Based on recent economic events, it is clear that non-profit organizations need to plan for uncertainty. For DeLaSalle, that means building an operating reserve fund capable of sustaining its mission during the most difficult financial times. I feel very fortunate to transition to this new position after a new executive director is hired and trained. A nation-wide search for my successor is currently underway, led by MSA Search Consultants. We expect a new director to be named by early Spring 2010. You can view this position by going to http://www.npconnect.org/page/search_jobs/?cl_v=ra&cl_cid=12151&cl_aid=63795&cl_six=20
While change is not always easy, it is a natural part of growth. I feel wonderful about this positive, managed approach to an important organizational change. I am excited as well to leave an enduing legacy with DeLaSalle by now addressing the transition to new leadership for DeLaSalle.
Thank you for all of your support and for your personal interest in me and my future. I am blessed and very thankful for your contributions to DeLaSalle over these thirty years of my service to this great organization!
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