Update & Invitation from Northwest Youth Services, Our Partner in The Ground Floor
Dear NWYS Community,
We are writing to tell you that we’re entering a new phase in our organization’s transition that started a year ago.
Over the past year, the NWYS board has worked closely with interim Executive Director Lance Jones to right the ship. Lance has assessed the challenges we faced, stabilized the organization, and moved us forward. He shored up our financial footing, securing critical contract renewals from all levels of government and raising unrestricted grants and donations to fill some of the gaps. He has built new tools and set baseline standards and practices for all our programs. He helped the Board understand the unique challenges of our organization at this time, reestablished connections with key community members and donors, and identified long-term improvements for the next phase of our growth and development. We are deeply grateful to Lance for stepping in during a very difficult time in our organization’s lifecycle and preparing for our next chapter.
Today, we are announcing that Karen Burke will become our interim Executive Director with the charge of completing our organizational turnaround over the coming 18–24 months. Under Karen’s skillful guidance, we will fully stabilize operations and finances, rebuild our relationships in the community, and move forward with a clear vision for the future. Lance and Karen will work together to ensure Lance’s knowledge and relationships will transfer, and Karen will assume full responsibilities as interim Executive Director for NWYS on September 15.
Karen has a long track record of leading nonprofits through change in Bellingham and across the country. Most recently, she was the Chief Operating Officer of YWCA USA, where she specialized in rebuilding YWCA organizations across the country. The board has charged her with developing a new strategic plan for NWYS’s future permanent Executive Director, clarifying decision-making processes between board and staff leaders, and solidifying our financial position. She will help us turn the page on the past and begin to write our future.
To celebrate this transition, we are inviting you to an open house at the NWYS headquarters on Saturday, September 13, at 2:00 pm (see details below). Come see how NWYS helps our clients, enjoy music, eat appetizers by Sarah Chan and Calypso Kitchen, and have nonalcoholic cocktails from Bloomhaven Bottle Shop.
You’ll also have the opportunity to meet Karen, express your gratitude to Lance, and engage in conversation with Board President Clare McFrazier.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Yours,
NWYS Board of Directors
EVENT DETAILS
WHEN: September 13, 2:00 pm
WHERE: NWYS Administrative Headquarters, 1020 N State Street, Bellingham
