Family Center leadership changes

The longtime executive director of the Springfield Family Center has been replaced.

http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20120203/NEWS02/702039897

Published February 3, 2012 in the Rutland Herald
Family Center leadership changes

By SUSAN SMALLHEER
Staff Writer

SPRINGFIELD — The longtime executive director of the Springfield Family Center has been replaced.

Deborah Luse, who headed the anti-poverty agency in Springfield for 18 years, was replaced earlier this year, said Rev. William Sheldon, chairman of the Family Center’s board of directors.

Interim director Stephanie Gibson has worked at the Family Center for about two years as assistant director. Gibson is a member of the Springfield Select Board.

Gibson confirmed she was the interim director, but declined further comment.

One board member of the center, Timothy Blake of North Springfield, said “the board decided to go in a different direction.”

The Family Center, which receives funding from Springfield voters at Town Meeting Day, and funding from government agencies, runs the local food shelf and sponsors a daily meal that is open to the public.

Blake said demand for the Family Center’s services was up.

“Money’s really tight,” Blake said, adding that a local church-affiliated men’s group was helping with needed repairs at the Family Center’s buildings on Summer Street.

“There is a big demand for our services,” Blake said. “Stephanie and Andy are really working hard.” Andy Brothers is the center’s services coordinator.

Sheldon, chairman of the Family Center’s Board of Trustees said a desire for change by the board was behind Luse’s departure, but he declined to be specific.

“The board is moving in a new direction, a different direction,” said Sheldon. “We want to be the best food shelf in the state, the best day center in the state of Vermont.”

He said the food shelf served about 300 families a month.

Tropical Storm Irene didn’t hit Springfield hard directly, largely because damage was kept to a minimum by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer Flood Control Dam, Sheldon said. But the town has a lot of available housing and people whose homes were destroyed or damaged by the flooding have moved into Springfield, increasing the demand for services, Sheldon said.

“A lot of people that were affected moved into our area and the number of people coming in to see us has increased,” Sheldon said.

Luse said she left the Family Center two weeks ago, but she said she couldn’t comment about what was behind her departure.

Luse had worked at the Family Center for 18 years, and became executive director on Dec. 1, 1994, succeeding the center’s founder, Myrtle Birsky.

“I just wish the Family Center much success,” said Luse, refusing further comment.

Sheldon said the center would be advertising for a new executive director.

The Family Center receives its funding from donations, support from the town of Springfield, and government grants, Sheldon said.

The Family Center is asking voters to approve $50,000 in funding this year, the same as last year, Sheldon said. He said the center’s overall budget was about $200,000.

The center hosts a daily noontime meal, Monday through Friday, and area churches put on a luncheon every Saturday, he said.

“The board is looking for a lot of changes right now and we want to make the best changes,” Sheldon said.

The center is run by a seven-member board, headed by Sheldon, and including Blake, Walter Koenig, Elly Hunt, Mary LaCross, William Nelson and Linda LaBonte, according to the center’s recent filing with the Vermont Secretary of State’s office.