West End Family Link has a new executive director. Jody Gardner was interviewed Sept. 10 for the job, hired that day and sat in on her first board meeting then too. Her official start date was Sept. 15, and she’s been busy ever since.
Gardner said many changes in staffing have created some challenge in her new role. At least three people have resigned from West End Family Link in the last month, but all for different reasons.
Gardner said it’s her first job working for a nonprofit. Before she worked for Dolores County for years in various departments, and she most recently worked for Elk Ridge Mining, until they downsized.
Now, Gardner is finding her way in leading West End Family Link. She told the board when they hired her she wasn’t clear on the bigger scope of the nonprofit’s practices and operations. Now that she’s at the helm, she is learning and ready to make sure the mission is widely known throughout the community.
She’s working 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. currently, although Family Link is closed Wednesdays to the public. The other ladies who run the food pantry work in various shifts, depending on their availability. Gardner said Family Link does try to be flexible, and especially since Tuesday evenings are such a big day.
Community volunteers are welcome to assist Tuesdays at approximately 4 p.m. That’s when the local driver comes back from Grand Junction with a Food Bank of the Rockies load. Gardner has gone to do that; so has new board president Jim Guire. Last week the truck transported 1,800 pounds of food, and Gardner said that’s a lot for folks to unpack.
Another order comes Friday at 11 a.m., and Family Link could use assistance then too. She said the truck deliveries are big.
Gardner wants people to know sign-ups are happening for the Energy Outreach of Colorado program and also LEAP, both of which are utility payment assistance. Other programs and classes will be announced in the coming weeks.
West End Family Link serves Nucla, Naturita, Redvale and Paradox with the food pantry, and Gateway will be added very soon. Norwood is now down to one day per week with their food bank, and Gardner said Family Link might be offering support up there in that location before too long.
Family Link’s first chili cook-off is happening Oct. 11, and Gardner said it’s about being a part of the bigger community. She said it happens on the same day as the chamber’s burro race, and they wanted to combine the chili cook-off with something else to make for a special day.
“It will grow, but we are starting little this year,” she said.
Family Link does have donations of beans and chilis, so people are welcome to come by and get those ingredients for their cook-off entry. The Family Link board of directors will judge the contest.
In other West End Family Link news, the nonprofit is gearing up for the holiday season. More than 100 local families will be fed with Thanksgiving and Christmas boxes. She said she’s learning how many of those recipients are elders and veterans.
Gardner doesn’t have business cards yet, and she’s still getting settled, but she can be reached at the Family Link phone: 970-864-2245.
“It’s been good,” she said of her initial start. “It’s good to see all who come to volunteer on Tuesdays. … And, there should be no shame or embarrassment for anyone who needs help with anything.”
