From the Desk of Kathy Jenkins - March 2024
Dear Friends and Supporters,
As we transition from winter to spring, I wanted to take a moment to update you on the latest happenings at New Directions. March has been a particularly busy month for us, filled with both challenges and exciting developments.
Despite the continued economic downturn, increased homelessness, rising housing costs, and low housing inventory in Myrtle Beach and Horry County, I am pleased to share some good news with you. This month alone, we achieved successful outcomes that demonstrate the impact of our collective efforts. Despite these challenges, we were able to help secure housing for 5 families and 16 men, reunite 1 family, 3 women, and 7 men with their family or other support systems, and secure long-term placement for 3 individuals into recovery. These achievements highlight the resilience and determination of both our clients and our dedicated staff.
We want to thank our former Development Director, Elizabeth Schlueter, who served our organization with dedication and passion for the past four years. Elizabeth's contributions have been invaluable, and while we will miss her presence, we wish her all the best in her future endeavors. However, I am delighted to announce that we have a new Marketing and Development Director, Angela Fabbri, who joined our team on March 25th. Angela brings with her a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to our mission. Please join me in welcoming Angela to the New Directions family.
In addition to staffing changes, we are also focusing on enhancing our services and facilities. One area of focus is the revamping of processes in our men's shelter kitchen. This kitchen not only serves meals to our male shelter clients but also provides a hot evening meal for anyone in the community who is hungry, 365 days a year. These efforts are crucial in ensuring that we can continue to meet the growing demand for food assistance in our community.
As always, we rely on the support of volunteers and community groups to help us in our mission. We are actively seeking volunteer groups of 5-8 individuals to cook and serve an evening meal at our Men’s shelter. Your time and generosity can make a world of difference to those in need.
Thank you for your continued support of New Directions and our mission to empower lives and restore hope. Together, we can make a positive impact and create a brighter future for everyone in our community.
Warm regards,
Kathy Jenkins, CEO