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The Board of Directors of United Way of Howard and Tipton Counties is pleased to announce that a CEO search committee has been formed and expects to begin fielding resumes starting in July.
Under the leadership of Executive Committee member Kevin Lechner, the search committee includes community members Cathy Valcke, Cheryl Graham, Paul Wyman, Lori Hoback, Brandon Bishop, Lewis Hall and Kenny Gregory. Prior to forming the search committee, the board worked with Indiana United Ways, the state membership association for United Ways serving Indiana Counties, to evaluate the position, review and prep a new job description, and adopt a scoring rubric for candidates.
“We have been very deliberate and methodical in our process to get to this point,” Board Chair Kaleb Hollingsworth stated. “Our board has worked with Remound Wright, our Interim CEO, to create a transition plan focused on high priority tasks, the CEO search being one of them. We’re appreciative of the support Mr. Wright has provided over the past eight months.
“During this time, he took every opportunity to connect with other United Ways, the State Association, and community stakeholders – all in addition to overseeing the day-to-day operations of our United Way.”
Wright will continue to serve as the interim until the permanent CEO has been hired.
“Throughout the last six months, community investments have remained a critical issue for us,” commented Alexandra Daniels Durham, board treasurer. “It is important to note that even though we paused grantmaking temporarily, we fulfilled all previously established grant obligations and we have continued to provide services to the community.”
This tax season alone, United Way of Howard and Tipton Counties oversaw the preparation of 722 free tax returns, leading to $636,000 returned to community members. Additionally, more than 3,200 assists were provided through the information and referral system. The organization also made it possible for 2,100 meals to be provided to school-aged children during this school year and ensured that 34,000 books were sent to young children, ages 0 to 5.
“We’re happy to say that our Community Investments Committee is ready to release $50,000 in grants to the community, which we expect to be completed by July 1,” Daniels Durham said.
In addition to the CEO search, continuing to provide community support, and awarding grants, the United Way of Howard and Tipton Counties is also recruiting new board members between now and year’s end.
“We have been quiet publicly over the past few months, but the truth is, we’ve been working diligently behind the scenes to ensure that this opportunity for a reset was well-utilized and methodical,” said Hollingsworth. “I and the other board members live here, work here, play here. We have families and businesses here. We’re community members too, and we love this community.
“We’re appreciative of the support and patience that has been afforded on our behalf. It’s a testament to the idea that United Ways are the community’s organization.”
Those interested in being considered for Board service may contact Kaleb at kaleb@hollingsworthlumber.com.
United Way of Howard and Tipton Counties fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in every community. Using community input, the non-profit crafts local impact plans that work to end generational poverty. In Howard and Tipton counties, United Way is working to put children on a pathway out of poverty with the #75in5 initiative, with the goal of having 75 percent of children ready to learn by kindergarten. Learn more at UnitedWayHoCo.org. For questions, please contact Kaleb Hollingsworth at kaleb@hollingswrothlumber.com.
Center Township revives Community Expo
The Center Township of Howard County Trustee’s office gathered dozens of local social service providers last week to hold a Community Expo; an opportunity for those in need in the community to connect to programs and opportunities to improve their lives as well as receive some much-needed food.
Filling the parking lots of the Center Township office, along with a portion East Jefferson Street, the expo featured informational booths, a mobile food pantry, and opportunities for participants to apply for a free phone or tablet from the government.
“This is first time we've done the Community Expo since before COVID,” said Center Township Trustee Andrew Durham. “We were doing just the food drive for the past three years, but we wanted to include all the community service providers, ones we partner with annually and some that we don't, that we think are good for the community.
“We want to try to get people out and see some of the services that we have in Howard County and try to promote some of those agencies, even ours. We don't do a whole lot of promoting for ourselves, but we're hoping that this brings some attention to a lot of good agencies that are out here.”
Center Township of Howard County offers services to the entire community through the fulfillment of its many responsibilities, including financial assistance to the indigent, maintaining cemeteries and parks owned by the township, providing fire protection to the township, destroying weeds and rank vegetation, and providing insulin to the poor.
The township office may be reached by calling 765-452-8259 or by emailing centertownship1@gmail.com.