2010 Mary Kay Shelter Grant Program Recipients
We are happy to inform you that The Mary Lou Heissenbuttel Residence is a recipient of the 2010 Mary Kay Shelter Grant Program. The Mary Kay Foundationsm has awarded $3 million in grants to 150 domestic violence shelters in need nationwide. Just in time for National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, each shelter received a $20,000 grant to help combat domestic violence, educate local communities and provide much needed shelter and rehabilitation services. To learn more about Mary Kay Foundation, please visit their website at www.mkacf.org.
Grace Smith House Welcomes a New Executive Director
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Renee Fillette to the role of executive director of the agency. Fillette was selected by a search committee comprised of Board members, staff and a member of the community. She began her new position on June 1st.
Fillette
is the founder and former executive director of St. John Bosco Child
and Family Services, a high-quality foster care agency in the Hudson
Valley. Her professional career began as a behavior and education
specialist working for an international research replication project
consulting with families and schools in North America, Canada and
Iceland for children with autism spectrum disorder.
More recently, in response to a local tragedy, Fillette opened a group home program for children in crisis in the Hudson Valley, using a unique humanistic philosophy, and achieving outcomes for foster care youth that far exceed the state average. Fillette’s commitment and passion for children and families has extended to an interest in the development of public service agencies as she pursues a doctoral degree in Leadership and Management of Nonprofit Organizations. Her work with children and families has been recognized by several service organizations, and the New York State Senate. Fillette’s combined strengths of organizational leadership, and a deep-seeded compassion for individuals and families in need have identified her as the new leader for Grace Smith House.
This transition cannot go without recognizing the outgoing executive director, Judy Lombardi. After six years leading the agency, Lombardi has decided to seek a new challenge, and is very pleased to remain at Grace Smith House in the position of Director of Outreach and Support Services. While not the only reason for this change, Judy's role as a new mom played a part in this decision.