SOLD OUT!  THANK YOU WHITEWATER!

Enjoy a four course dinner and wine pairing while supporting local families!

Dear friends and colleagues,

It is with both excitement and sadness that I announce my resignation as the Bethel House Executive Director.  After 12+ years of serving the Whitewater community, I am looking forward to a new project and new growth.  I have accepted a position at the Waukesha Salvation Army as their Director of Social Services and I am thrilled to offer my experience to help further their programs and serve those in need in Waukesha County.

I started my position at Bethel House when I was 24, barely out of college, energetic and motivated, but also probably naïve and not sure what I was getting into.  The first few years had a huge learning curve and I was determined not to let Bethel House down.  I helped grow the mission of Bethel House, but it equally helped me grow as a person and a professional.  I'm very proud of what we've accomplished over the years.  Bethel House has expanded in its programming, outreach, staff, and structure.  We've served hundreds of families in need and have been a model for other communities.  We made it through the pandemic without closing or even scaling back services.  
I'm grateful that I was able to be involved in the beautiful and sacred work of Bethel House, meeting people in their suffering and offering hope.  I have cared deeply about every client, every person's story of struggle and healing.  It has been my deep honor to be entrusted with those stories and to have played a small part in them.  
I'm grateful that I was able to be part of this community and witness its generosity, energy, and creativity.  This is a unique community full of really awesome people with really cool ideas.  I have been inspired and awed by all of you dreamers and innovators.  
I am indebted to my Board of Directors, mentors, staff, and interns.   You joined in the daily grind as we worked on this together, saw the hope of people but also the horrors of poverty (and there were many), overcame challenges, organized dozens of events, fundraisers, and initiatives, asked many people for money (still terrifying!), gave many speeches (even more terrifying!), wrote grants, wrote policy, made tough decisions, cried, laughed, ranted, and wondered.  This work isn't for the faint of heart and I'm so thankful for each of you who were fearless enough to jump in.  What we do matters!

I will be working my usual hours through the month of September and then will be working very part-time until a new Executive Director is hired and trained.  I'll still help with, and attend, the fall dinner fundraiser on Nov 11th.  After that, with the approval of the board, I will be serving as an ex-officio Board Member.  I will keep my email address for any Bethel House related things, so you can still email me at [email protected].  So I'm not fully leaving Bethel House entirely, just stepping down and moving to a different role!  

As we prepare for this transition, I ask you two things:
1. As we begin the search for the new Executive Director, please share this link for the job application to anyone in your network who might be a good fit: 
https://forms.gle/Hz4msr9ofFkhwawf8 
Once they're hired, please welcome this new person warmly and give them the same wonderful compassion and grace that you have shown me.
2. Please continue to support Bethel House financially.  Fundraising is a large task as we're supported by the local community 100% and this year has been difficult for nonprofits across the board.  Bethel House will not exist long-term without financial support and this community needs Bethel House to be here.  As a parting gift, please consider a financial donation, of any amount, so that Bethel House is in good shape for the future.  

Thank you all for your kindness over the past 12 years and I genuinely wish each of you well!
Woohoo Bethel House!

With love,
Kristy Weinberg, MSW

We'll have the registration link up soon!