Dedication to improving the lives of local children and families is at the heart of the Butler County Community Resource Council, which said good-bye to a longtime director this month and welcomes new leadership.
Retiring executive director Karen Crook hands the not-for-profit over to former staff member Rebeca Pacheco, who starts Tuesday.
The CRC has worked to bring together the social services providers, faith-based groups, businesses, schools and others who can make the community better since it was created in 1992.
"We have a wonderful community. So many people want to help. You just have to approach people," said Crook, who joined the CRC since 1998.
With an eight-member staff, the agency brings in $1 million in grant money annually to support its operations and engages more than 300 volunteers through its initiatives.
The core initiatives include parents working, the safety of children at home and in their community, preparing children to enter and succeed in school, the health of children and families and the readiness of youth to enter the workforce.
"I've lived other places and I've yet to see a community that participates in and is as interested as this one, especially the level of collaboration between the different agencies, churches and other non profits," said Pacheco.
The CRC is the umbrella organization for programs like the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, which organizes volunteer opportunities for people over the age of 55; CASA, a volunteer group which provides court appointed advocates to children in foster care; and teen parent mentoring, an effort to support and educate young mothers.
The agency also brings together resources through efforts like the domestic violence task force, juvenile crime reduction committee and the senior citizens advisory council. "People have a really deep love for this community and want to come together," Pacheco said. "That's what makes working at the resource council exciting."
CRC committees discuss and develop strategies for tackling problems in the community. This has led to the creation of a truancy court program for schools in Butler and Ripley counties to reduce absenteeism, and annual conferences on domestic violence, autism and other topics to educate partners and community members.
Pacheco was involved in programs to reduce recidivism among offenders when she worked at the CRC from 2010-2013, including a state pilot program to provide support to mothers prior to their release from prison.
In 2013, Pacheco accepted a position in administration with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. She says she has since gained additional experience in budget development and human resources.
There were several great applicants for the executive director position, but Pacheco had many qualities that made her stand out, said Teresa Johnson, president of the CRC board of directors.
"We wanted someone dedicated to the community, but also with an administrative background," said Johnson. "We do a lot and we needed someone organized, with familiarity with budgets and grant writing."
Pacheco is already familiar with the programs and is expected to make a smooth transition, Johnson said.
Crook leaves the CRC well organized and ready to start a busy spring, according to Pacheco. It will include the annual CRC partnership event Friday, where the Person of the Year will be announced, and the yearly Silly Saturday event that helps connect more than 600 young children and parents with a variety of resources.
The CRC has helped thousands of people connect with important training and eduction through workshops and events, said Crook.
Programs go from prenatal help in the teen parenting mentoring program to a caregivers conference for the elderly, and the whole gamut in between, said Crook, who advised Pacheco to always remember the CRC is there to serve the community.
"There have been hundreds of workshops that we have either supported or started over the years," Crook said. "That means there have been thousands of people that are now more aware, educated and trained in the different areas that are important to us."
The CRC team is more than just a staff, it's a family, Crook said, adding she has enjoyed most working with the people of the CRC.
"The issues will change, but the people don't. This is just a good community for people to be involved in," Crook said.
Crook is looking forward to spending more time with her husband, children and grandchildren in retirement.