After 21 years as the executive director at Child Protect, Children's Advocacy Center, I thought my time of service to the Montgomery community was at an end. I had set the date of June 30, 2022, as my exit, my retirement, my sailing off into the sunset, and my dream of being a shelf stocker at Dollar General. But in January of this year, I realized that my time was not over but was changing.
I was offered the position of president/CEO of the River Region United Way, the mothership of nonprofits, the umbrella of agencies on the front lines, and a constant in the community. I accepted the position because I was asked and encouraged by my family, my friends, and my fellow nonprofit peers. I welcomed the challenge. After seven months, I am starting to see and feel the energy in the community with more partnerships and collaborations with the partner agencies, more support from the community with our annual campaign, and more awareness in our service area on the mission of the United Way. The seven other Team members have been a constant for me. They have stepped up to participate in anything and everything needed. The board started the Dolly Parton Imagination Library with the help of the Alabama Department of Early Childhood, which continues to grow. It will impact children in our five counties for years to come.
Though I didn't realize it at the time, the United Way and the community partner agencies have been an intricate part of my life. Growing up with domestic violence and child abuse, I know now how vital those agencies were to me and my younger brother – the YMCA, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, the Cancer Foundation, and at the end of my brother's life, Hospice of Montgomery. My first job out of college was as a weekend house parent at Brantwood Children's Home. At the time, there was no Family Sunshine Center or Children's Advocacy Center to serve those women and children when they were in an abusive situation. Today our community has those two agencies and others that provide wrap-around services for those who need them the most.
Next year, the River Region United Way will celebrate 100 years of service to Montgomery and the river region. As the first woman to lead the agency then, I don't take it for granted or take the position lightly. We have come so far, but we have the challenges of being in a post-pandemic world and still have much work to do. I challenge you to donate an hour of your time and give $1 a month to the River Region United Way. Together, we will continue to change lives.
I am honored and humbled to lead the River Region United Way into the next 100 years. Together we are making a difference!
United in service,
"I never thought in terms of being a leader, I thought very simply in terms of helping people."
John Hume