Press releases

Barbella joins House of Hope as CEO

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PRESS RELEASE DATE: JULY 14, 2011

Elizabeth Barbella will be joining House of Hope in mid-August as chief executive officer, taking over leadership of the primary safety net agency for Martin County residents in need.

"I am honored to have the opportunity to join the House of Hope team," Barbella said. "The organization has a rich history of providing vital services to the community and I believe we are poised to do extraordinary things for Martin County."

Barbella herself has a rich history working with local nonprofit agencies and advocating for the needs of Martin County families. She previously was the director of policy and operations with the Children’s Services Council of Martin County, joining that organization in 1998. Barbella managed the daily operations, including the staff and a budget of more than $5 million annually.

In addition to these internal management skills, Barbella has experience as a collaborator and advocate on local, regional and state levels.

She has developed key health and human service programs and has facilitated agency collaborations that enhance service delivery to children and families. She also has expertise in resource development, fund-raising, grant research and writing, community development, program development, board development, and legislative advocacy.

As an added enhancement for the nonprofit community, from 2000-08, Barbella volunteered as president of the Treasure Coast Coordination Coalition, which promotes collaboration among social service agencies, law enforcement, government, business and educational institutions in Indian River, Okeechobee, Martin and St. Lucie County.

Barbella will begin with House of Hope in mid-August, filling the agency’s top staff position. That role most recently was filled by Patrick Slattery, who departed the agency July 8 after serving as executive director for nearly 18 years.

House of Hope was founded in 1984 by a small group of volunteers who handed out sandwiches to people in need. Since then, the agency has grown to four locations throughout Martin County, providing food, clothing, household necessities, emergency financial assistance and life-changing case management services to county residents in need.

Service statistics from 2010:

• • Food Pantry served 3,893 families with 152 tons of food – the equivalent of about 237,500 meals.

• • Clothes Closet provided 174,422 garments and household items to families and organizations.

• • Emergency Financial Assistance program provided 928 families with $144,917 in aid – an average of about $213 per family.

The necessity of House of Hope’s services has been underscored during the economic crisis of the past three years, and the agency has grown and evolved to meet the challenges. Plans for the future involve a greater ability to distribute fresh and frozen food, reaching out to underserved neighborhoods through a mobile pantry alliance with Treasure Coast Food Bank, and reorganizing the agency’s food pantries to offer the “Client Choice” means of distribution.

Information about House of Hope is available online at www.hohmartin.org or by calling (772) 286-4673.