A Message from our Board of Directors

Dear Friend of LPCS:

On behalf of the Lincoln Park Community Shelter Board of Directors, I want to thank Erin Ryan for her many contributions towards the success of the organization over the years.  Although we will certainly miss her leadership, we are very happy for Erin as she embarks on an exciting new chapter in her career.

Leadership transition can be both a challenging and exciting time for any organization.  I want to assure you that the LPCS board has a plan in place that will ensure this transition will be as smooth and efficient as possible.  We have established a Transition Task Force that will assist in all aspects of the transition period, including the process of searching for and retaining a new Executive Director. 

As part of our transition plan, I am happy to announce that we have appointed George Kuhlman as Interim Executive Director.  George has been involved with LPCS as a volunteer in a variety of capacities for more than two decades.  He has served multiple terms on the Board of Directors, including as board president.  George has served as a loyal ambassador for the organization and his efforts have significantly contributed to the expansion in our base of support within the community.  We are confident that George’s experience and passion for our mission will result in a smooth transition and continuity of operations while the board conducts its search for the next Executive Director.

We will continue to update our friends and supporters during this transition period.  In the meantime, if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share them with me at any time.  My email address is bcarstensen@ameritech.net.

For now, please join me in thanking Erin for her many years of service to the organization, congratulating her on her new career opportunity, and wishing her much success in her new role.  
 
Brent Carstensen
President, Board of Directors

Farewell from our Executive Director, Erin Ryan

Dear Friend of LPCS,
 

It is with gratitude for your many years of support that I would like to announce my planned departure from my position as Executive Director of the Lincoln Park Community Shelter to pursue a new career opportunity. After nearly 15 years at LPCS, and nearly 8 years as its Executive Director, I truly feel that LPCS has served me as much as I have served the organization and its Guests.

I am pleased with what we have been able to accomplish together at LPCS over these years, and especially want to thank our amazing staff and Board of Directors. During my tenure with LPCS, we have grown the organization and shepherded it through many important milestones. Some highlights include:

• Renovating space for our programs, enabling 24/365 shelter operations for the first time, and ensuring financial stability for future growth.

• Rebranding our image as a homeless shelter to a comprehensive service provider for adults experiencing homelessness.

• Expanding our mission and services to meet the changing needs of Guests to include permanent supportive housing; securing our first government contract to provide 15 unit of scattered site housing.

• Most importantly, during my time with LPCS we have been able to assist over 700 men and women end their homelessness and move into stable housing of their own.

I will not be available at LPCS after May 16, 2014. See below for a message from our Board President describing the next steps for the organization's leadership. I have no doubt that LPCS is in a strong position to continue on its mission. Thank you for all your support over the years and especially during this period of transition. 

Sincerely,

eryan@lpcsonline.org 

Volunteer Spotlight: St. Clement Catholic Church

This month we would like to spotlight one of the four neighboring churches that established LPCS.  St.Clement Catholic Church recently had their Annual Day of Service, and we were lucky enough to be one of the sites selected. The group came here on Saturday, April 26th energized and ready to work and they did an excellent job. 

This group organized our pantry, cleaning closet, and did yard work in the front and back of the facility. The kids of St. Clement also packed sack lunches and made delicious centerpieces (with marshmallows and candy!) to decorate our dining room.

 

St. Clement donates sack lunches, cooks dinner, sack lunches and breakfast. We love to see the familiar (and new!) faces that come here every month.

Thank you, St. Clement for being an ongoing supporter over the years! We appreciate all that you do.