Dear Raphael House supporters,
After nearly four years as our Board Chair, Tom Poser will be passing the baton. While he will continue to serve as a Raphael House advocate and advisor on our Board of Directors, I want to take this moment to celebrate everything he has accomplished for Raphael House families in his years of leadership.
Raphael House has been in a momentous period of expansion. It is through Tom’s vision and steadfast commitment to supporting the Raphael House team that we were able to sell our underutilized family services building, achieve a budget surplus, and secure our first multi-year contract for government funding in the organization’s history. This past year alone, Tom helped guide the entire committee through a successful Black & White Gala, the launch of a significant capital project to expand our shelter capacity, and a focus on board governance that will position Raphael House for long-term strength.
In every conversation, meeting, or physical space where Tom is talking about Raphael House, the organization shines. His passion for the life-changing work we do is evident to all who come into contact with him, and we’re grateful to have such a strong advocate for our programs, our services, and our families. To reiterate a snippet from a valued community member: “I wish every nonprofit had a Tom Poser.”
When I first joined Raphael House, I asked many of our supporters how they came to align with our organization’s mission of supporting families experiencing homelessness. Tom’s answer was simple: he saw a community in need, and wanted to do everything he could to make a difference. We’re honored to have been that vehicle for change—and under Tom’s tenure, Raphael House has supported over 800 families in their journey towards achieving and maintaining financial security.
We are proud to announce that our next Board Chair will be Charlie McEachron, who has already been leading alongside us as a driving force on our Executive Committee. His deep familiarity with our work, our finances, and our direction made this a natural transition, and we are grateful for his enthusiasm and readiness to step into this role.Charlie will be spearheading our strategic planning efforts over the next two years, as we ensure that Raphael House can best support families experiencing homelessness in the years to come.
With appreciation,
Tina Burgelman
Make a gift today to celebrate Tom’s impact!
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