The start of 2018 is bringing many changes to Neighborhood House, including the hiring of a new Executive Director. After an extraordinary 15-year journey, I have decided to retire from Neighborhood House at the end of February 2018. Together with our Board and staff, I have begun preparations to ensure my transition is a successful one, with Neighborhood House fully prepared to advance our mission well into the future, long after my final day. Our work to provide opportunities to break the cycle of poverty for children and families must and will continue.
I have been so proud to serve as the Executive Director for Neighborhood House. Because of the outstanding partnerships and support of organizations and people like you, we have been able to transform the organization and change the lives of thousands of individuals throughout Portland and the surrounding neighborhoods of West Louisville. Just to highlight a few of our accomplishments:
- We established an outstanding Child Development Center where our preschoolers graduate ready to succeed in kindergarten, and their parents are engaged in establishing a lifelong love of learning for their children.
- Our services now include an educational programing Monday through Saturday for children and teenagers, first through twelfth graders, to build assets for their future success in college, career and life.
- We developed Family Services, which engages parents and senior adults in the learning process where they build skills that strengthen their family and community.
None of this would have been possible without the commitment, hard work and ongoing support of the staff, Board, volunteers and donors who all believe in our mission and understand the importance of the work we do each day.
I am proud of how incredibly far we have come, and I know that this is a time for Neighborhood House to move forward and make an even greater impact in our community. No matter what the future holds for me, I know it will include supporting Neighborhood House and its 121-year effort to lift up the children, seniors and families in our community.
As we search for a new Executive Director, David Graves, retired CEO of Brooklawn, has agreed to act as Interim Executive Director. David has over 30 years of nonprofit leadership experience and he will help to guide Neighborhood House through this transitional time. We are extremely grateful for his partnership and commitment to the mission of our organization.
I am so grateful for your support. Thank you for sharing in this mission with me!
– Pam Rice