Southwick House, formerly known as Plumb Place, has successfully completed the requirements to attain Community Partner status with the United Way of the Flint Hills.
In a letter to the organization earlier this week, Southwick House was notified of successful completion of the requirements to obtain Community Partner status with the United Way of the Flint Hills. The Community Partners must demonstrate their programs fall within the mission focus areas of the UWFH.
CEO of the United Way of the Flint Hills, Mickey Edwards, was pleased with her board’s decision to approve the Southwick House application.
Edwards said, “United Way has seen an increasing need in recent years for housing services, specifically for individuals faced with homelessness. For that reason, our advocacy work over the last few years has expanded into this area. It is a natural fit for us to partner with Southwick House, as their mission is in excellent alignment with ours and begins the process to bring back a much-needed service for women and women and children in our community.”
In addition to alignment with mission objectives, the UWFH requires partner agencies to demonstrate a high level of fiscal oversight, diversity, equity and inclusion practices, and the structural stability to meet organizational benchmarks for the common good of the community.
Southwick House board president, Jeremy Dorsey appreciates the rigor UWFH brings to the process of obtaining and maintaining Community Partner status.
“Southwick House is grateful to have renewed our partnership with the United Way as we begin to restore housing services to women in need. Our Board, and Executive Director, is working hard to build relationships with community partners to ensure safe and supportive programming for the homeless and housing insecure in our community." Dorsey said.
Executive Director, Susan Brinkman, believes this is a very important first step in establishing the solidity of Southwick House in the Emporia community.
“For 100 years, Carrie Southwick Plumb’s vision to assist women in need has been met in our community. Reestablishing our commitment to the community as a UWFH Community Partner is the right first step for the next 100 years,” Brinkman said.
As the year comes to a close, Brinkman and the Southwick House board of directors continue their work in identifying community needs, reestablishing funding streams and the identification of an adaptive reuse facility.
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