Published Monday, October 14, 2002
Herald Staff Writer
A little over a year ago, eleven women made a pact with each other to stand together.
A decision was made to walk out of their jobs. It wasn't for more money, longer vacations, or better benefits. Some were the sole support for their families. All of them were convinced that they would probably lose their jobs but they had no other choice.
"Prior to the walk-out, I knew we had some serious issues," said Candace Blake, assistant executive director of AW/ARE and head of direct services for Mercer County's domestic abuse agency. "We knew the agency was going to fold itself down internally no matter what we did. We didn't have anything to lose at this point."
What Ms. Blake referred to was when most of the AW/ARE employees walked off the job Aug. 14, 2001, after they said the board failed to meet with them to discuss alleged policy violations and client confidentiality breaches surrounding then-executive director Leah Koon. The staff of also demanded their her resignation.
"It still causes a pain in the pit of my stomach to talk about it," said Mimi Prada, assistant executive director and systems and outreach advocate. Mrs. Prada was one of the employees that walked out last year. "It wasn't for selfish reasons. It wasn't like we were walking out to get eight weeks of vacation. We figured we were going to lose our jobs by doing this. But this agency is so important, we took that chance. If things didn't change, we would ultimately lose the agency anyway."
Soon after the walk-out, Ms. Koon took medical leave and eventually stepped down along with several board members, including board president Donna Barton of Greenville. Before all the dust settled, the 12-member board was down to five.
In the meantime, Larry Haynes, executive director of the Shenango Valley Foundation and pastor of Grace Chapel Community Church in Sharon, was asked by board member Ray Slovesko of Hermitage to step in as interim executive director and keep the agency afloat.
"I'm convinced he saved the agency," said Mrs. Prada. "He fit for both sides." Slovesko, who is now president of the board, agreed. "He was absolutely key; a key mover and a catalyst. He stepped up to the plate and truly went to bat."
Once Haynes stepped in, he worked on creating open communication between the staff and the remaining board members. Part of the problem with the lack of communication had to do with rules laid down by Ms. Koon that prohibited contact between staff and the board.
"I don't think the board ever understood the depths of despair at that time. There had to be a liaison and a trust with the board that didn't exist prior to the problem," said Slovesko. "We had to establish a rapport with the staff."
Haynes held meetings between the staff and board and kept them aware of each other's concerns. "And we've continued to improve the relations between board and staff," Slovesko said.
Another key event, according to the staff and the board, was the hiring of a new executive director, which was overseen by Haynes. "He told us, 'I will not have someone just to have someone. I will only have the right person,' ", said Mrs. Prada.
The "right" person was Lizette Olsen, a former Sharon resident, whose prior job was vice-president of Education and training of Planned Parenthood of Maryland. She was hired her at the end of February after interviews with Haynes, Ms. Blake and Slovesko.
"I've seen more progress in six months then the whole time I've been here in four years, " said Mrs. Prada, speaking of Ms. Olsen's work.
"I don't care if you talk to the board or the board talks to you. I'm not so egotistical to say all roads lead to me," said Ms. Olsen. "A lot of the focus after the 'meltdown' was literally removing the chaos out of the work day. Our issues do not lend themselves easily to resolution and I had to set boundaries and limits, such as simply making them go home at the end of the day, and leaving work at work."
New programs, such as the inception of a county-wide batterers program, the creation of a strategic plan by Haynes -- who is now serving as an agency consultant -- and the collaboration of three hospitals, local law enforcement and the county district attorney's office to form a Mercer County Sexual Assault Response Team, have been keeping the agency and the board busy.
"Before, we couldn't find people to be on the board. Now they are finding us and saying they want to be involved in the change," said Slovesko, adding that the board is back to its full complement with a wider representation from the county.
"We had to improve our communication with the community and our major funders," Ms. Olsen said. "I think we've done an incredible job. They know we're an organization that's going to survive and grow."
For information or to volunteer for AW/ARE, call (724)662-1870.