I have been selected as the new CEO & President of LUK, Inc., a child welfare and family services nonprofit organization in central Massachusetts.  My family will make our new home about 45 minutes northwest of Boston.  My professional career has always reflected my passion for working in mission-driven organizations dedicated to improving the safety and well-being of children and youth.  I am excited to be offered an opportunity to use my skills, energy and time for an organization that is dedicated specifically to child and youth well-being and the healthy development of families. 

My decision to leave Hearth Connection was made after careful consideration.  I am particularly grateful to Hearth Connection's amazing staff, our committed and passionate Board of Directors, and our many community partners in the field.  Hearth Connection remains a strong, vibrant, and influential organization. For over a decade, Hearth Connection has offered administrative support, fiscal oversight, and research to the state's largest network of supportive housing.  We are now focused on finding ways to improve the integration of supportive housing with health care systems. Hearth Connection is an accountable organization that is dedicated to using data and research to improve local attempts to address and end homelessness.

Collaboration, innovation, and evaluation are at the heart of everything we do. In the past three years, I am specifically proud of our accomplishments in:

• Maintaining critical supportive services and housing affordability despite losses in state revenue;
• Implementing a flexible case management service model that further evolved our approach and practices with program participants;
• Advocating with Homes for All and securing new funding for homeless services and rental assistance to homeless populations in Minnesota;
• Partnering with the University of Minnesota in ground-breaking research on the impact permanent supportive housing has on children in families;
• Establishing a new regional collaborative in Central Minnesota of nine counties which seeks to secure public funding to serve participants experiencing long-term homelessness;
• Improving our technological and financial systems to better serve our network of providers; and
• Creating and launching the Medica Supportive Housing Project - Minnesota's first initiative to integrate health plan investments in supportive housing to serve 85 new households.

Hearth Connection is in an excellent place, offering superior administration of our service network and fiscal oversight of our public funding.  I have no doubt that the organization will continue offering innovations, research, and training on emerging evidence-based practices for the field of permanent supportive housing. 

Next Steps - Transition and Search for New Executive Director

My last day with the organization will be Friday, October 11, 2013.  The Board of Directors will take the lead in implementing Hearth Connection's Executive Director Succession Plan.  A transition and search committee will be appointed to plan and carry out the transition to a new executive director. A job posting will be completed before the end of October, and the Board anticipates a new hire in the first quarter of 2014. 

Further announcements will likely be made concerning the selection of an Interim Executive Director for the organization.  Additionally, Hearth Connection's strong leadership team will offer direction to the organization during the transition period and includes the following individuals:

• Patti Hague, Director of Operations  
• Karen Vnuk, Director of Finance and Administration  
• Ben Van Hunnik, Director Information, Research, and Evaluation 
• Kelby Grovender, Director of Programs

Hearth Connection's priorities and work areas will continue to be guided by the Strategic Plan adopted by the Board of Directors in 2012 which include the following priorities:

1. Create, test, implement, and disseminate scalable innovations that strengthen and distinguish Hearth Connection's service model and supportive housing approach.
2. Integrate health care systems with supportive housing.
3. Evolve Hearth Connection's role as an intermediary.
4. Update Hearth Connection's business model to diversify revenue opportunities.

Partners, allies, and stakeholders should feel free to offer input and feedback into the transition planning process at any time.  Questions, concerns, or suggestions can be directed to Kelli Johnson, Board Chair.

Thank you again for your hard work, support and encouragement. My heart and spirit have always focused on children and youth experiencing poverty, homelessness, and neglect, and I am excited by our journey to New England.  As this transition unfolds, I am reminded of a quote from Max Ehrmann's Desiderata:

"And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should... whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.  With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world."

I hope we can remain in touch in the coming years.

Peace - Rich Hooks Wayman