Honoring Elizabeth Kelly for Many Years of Service

We would like to honor Elizabeth Kelly for her many years of passionate service to HOPE. She has spent more than 20 years in a leadership role at HOPE (nearly 12 as CEO and another 8 years as a founding member of the HOPE board). 

Elizabeth has been a strong leader who has shaped HOPE to be a model resource for other shelters to emulate. Shelters across America reach out to HOPE for advice as they develop sheltering programs. She developed the first Recuperative Shelter in Michigan. She serves on many boards to help shape policies that effect people experiencing homelessness or are vulnerable. 

These are the words Elizabeth shared as she reflects on retirement: 

Sometimes a person just gets lucky—and I consider myself to be one of the most fortunate people on earth.

Almost twelve years has passed since I stepped down from the HOPE board and accepted the position of executive director. There are times when my time at HOPE seemed as brief as the blink of an eye. Other times, I almost can’t remember working anywhere else. So with very mixed feelings I find myself closing out 2021 on the cusp of a new adventure—retirement!

I am grateful to all of you who made my tenure at HOPE such a wonderful place to be. In my HOPE world, everyone is kind to one another.  What a privilege that has been!

I am especially grateful to my husband, Paul, who built shelter bathrooms and made himself available as a volunteer for any and all facility emergencies. Without his support, willingness to eat dinner at 8 PM and flex when I had to meet volunteers on the weekend or work a shift due to staff illness, I could not have taken on this job. I am grateful, too, for my children, grandchildren, siblings and late mother---all of whom supported the work of HOPE. I have had the pleasure of working with some of the most marvelous board members, who so graciously shared their time, talent and treasure to ensure HOPE’s viability. And making the impossible, possible was a very generous and robust group of donors, funders and foundations…you know who you are. HOPE has also been blessed with many collaborative partners whose expertise greatly enhances our ability not only to help guests resolve homelessness and continue to maintain their independence through this support.

I am grateful, too, for our staff….some of the most dedicated people on the planet. The work is not easy,  especially during a pandemic where often we are short staffed and it seems almost daily adding extra safety measures. We’ve celebrated our successes together and cried when we lost someone. Our HOPE community is simply amazing. And all of you know that, because you are an important part of the HOPE family.

I am thankful for a wonderful succession plan. Brian Wright, who had previously held the position of Director of Development will become HOPE’s executive director and CEO on January 1, 2021. Karen Plants, who previously was the assistant adult shelter manager is now the Chief Operating Officer. I leave HOPE in great hands with such a bright future!

Thanks to all of you, I AM the luckiest person on earth. Be blessed as you have blessed me. And until we’ve resolved homelessness once and for all, please continue to support the work of HOPE!