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Whitewater, WI, June 13, 2023 - Bethel House has announced that Sydney Johnson has joined the organization as the new Director of Case Management Services. She officially started her position on June 5th. “Bethel House is so excited to have Sydney as a part of our team leading the charge on our case management and client services,” states Megan Hartwick, Bethel House Executive Director. “We’ve experienced a lot of staff transition over the past six months, and we’re eager to grow our services now that we are back up to full staffing capacity. Sydney is already proving to be a tremendous asset to our organization and all those families who contact us looking for support.” Johnson has her Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Marian University and is currently working towards her Master of Social Work degree at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. She previously served in a grant writing capacity with We EmpowHer and as a Case Manager with the Salvation Army of Fond du Lac. “The hiring committee and board of directors felt Sydney would be a great fit for Bethel House because of her authentic passion for serving and supporting others,” states Jessie Dugan, Bethel House Board President. “We were impressed by her work with both The Salvation Army and We EmpowHER organizations in Fond du Lac and her visible belief in working with the whole client with kindness, clear communication, and a generosity of spirit.” Working alongside Hartwick, Johnson will be responsible for overseeing Bethel House’s Emergency Assistance program and the Transitional Housing program, including all case management services provided to the housed families. “I am looking forward to being the go-to person for the Bethel House housed families to help provide them the resources and support they need to get back on their feet,” states Johnson. “After speaking with some community partners, it became apparent that there are a large number of homeless and low-income families in the Whitewater community, and I am eager to help bring educational resources & support to those who can benefit from it.” Johnson will serve in her capacity full-time and Hartwick will continue to serve in her part-time role. Bethel House will utilize summer open office hours from 8:30am-2pm Monday-Thursday through August, with other times available by appointment only. “The entire BOD is thankful for the Whitewater community as they've maintained support throughout these last few months of transition,” states Dugan. “Bethel House has been a mainstay of support in Whitewater for almost 30 years, and we could not be more excited to have Megan and Sydney securely at the helm for our future, already leading with optimism and enthusiasm.” For more information on the programs & services Bethel House provides, or to inquire about how you can support Bethel House, visit www.bethelhouseinc.org or contact 262.473.2715. Donation or administrative inquiries can be directed to Hartwick at director.bethelhouse@gmail.com and case management inquiries can be sent to Johnson at casemanager.bethelhouse@gmail.com.   We are so excited to host our 1st Annual Spring Raffle Fundraiser!
Wednesday, May 24th 5:00 - 6:30pm 841 Brewhouse - Whitewater, WI Raffle tickets are being sold for $20 and each ticket gains you admittance to the event, light appetizers and one beverage (house wine, domestic bottle, or soda/soft drink). A total of FIVE cash prize winners will be drawn: $1,000 grand prize $500 $250 (2) $100 Tickets can be purchased at First Citizens State Bank, from a Bethel House board member, by scanning the QR code above, or by clicking below. https://buy.stripe.com/14k8zq0794gT3p66oo 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 kristy.bethelhouse@gmail.com. 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 It was great to see everyone at our first Happy Hour event, so we're doing it again! Join us Thursday, July 14th!  It's a tradition...after our monthly Board Meetings, we go out to Black Sheep for appetizers and an old-fashioned. Now we're inviting you to join us! Come try out the new custom Bethel House cocktails, one sweet and one smokey, designed by Chef Jay. Appetizers are generously provided by First Citizens State Bank. Tickets are $15 at the door (we accept cash, card, PayPal, Text-to-donate, or check). Open house style from 5-7pm. Hope to see you there! Kristy  |
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