How did you get involved with The Extension?
 
I got involved after hearing about The Extension at my church.  I was amazed to hear about what they were doing, and as great as the story was, I knew that they had even greater potential.  I knew that I had to be part it.  At the time I didn’t know that involvement would eventually lead to being Chair of the Board of Directors; I really didn’t know where it would lead, but it’s been a great experience.
 
What is the role of The Extension’s Board of Directors?
 
Like most every other nonprofit organization, the role of The Extension’s Board of Directors is centered primarily around planning and oversight, ensuring that the organization has the resources it needs to fulfill its mission, and advocating on behalf of the organization within the community.  That’s what we all do, but we each have special interests and expertise.  Every Board member serves on at least one standing committee, and it is within those committees that the real work of the Board is done.  I am honored to head such a talented and dedicated group of people, each of whom bring an unique perspective and energy to the Board.  Of course, I’m most honored to serve those who come to us for help.  I can’t think of a better way to serve than to do my small part in helping our residents become accountable to themselves, their families, and the community.
 
What would you say to someone who is thinking about contributing to The Extension?
 
The first thing I would say is that this organization needs your help and that your help will make a real and lasting difference.  On any given day we have 67 residents at our facilities, but those are not just 67 homeless, addicted men and women.  Those are 67 mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, brothers, sisters, people that came to us at the lowest point in their lives, who simply wanted a chance.  We give them that chance, a chance for a new life, not just a meal and a place to stay for the night.  Not all make it, but a lot of them do, and when they do their lives are changed forever, and the lives of their families are changed, and our community is changed.  We’re not just talking about the hope of 67 men and women; we’re talking about the hope of their families, the kids who just want their mommy or daddy back in their lives, the mothers and fathers who have been through so much who simply want the peace of knowing their son or daughter is going to be okay.  Giving to The Extension is about supporting families and the community as a whole.  It’s not about a problem—it’s about a solution.
 
What makes The Extension unique among the various human service organizations in Cobb?
 
I’ve been active in the community for a long time, and I know that there are a lot of great organizations in Cobb doing a lot of great things, but no one else in the community provides the critical services we do.  When you hear the term homelessness you might think that it’s about not having a home, and that’s part of it, but there is always much more to it than that.  Homelessness is not a problem near as much as it is the symptom of a problem.  I believe that for most homeless men and women in our community that problem is addiction and its causes.  We deal with a solution to addiction, which in turn is the solution to homelessness.  All of our counselors are licensed or certified, and they provide an amazingly high level of service.  No other organization in our area has the expertise or the commitment to serve the needs of homeless, addicted men and women and provide counseling and other support for their families.  We’re not only unique in Cobb, there is really nothing like us in the entire State.
 
What would you say is the number one need of The Extension and how can individuals or groups help meet that need?
 
Our number one need is getting more people to be aware of who we are and what we do.  Of course, raising money is always a concern, but some of the best people in the world live in this community, and they will support us if they know about us—our history proves that.  The challenge for us is getting our message out.  If we do that, the support will follow.  That’s why we need as many people as possible, including everyone that reads this interview, to share our story with others.  When a person becomes involved with The Extension, either as a volunteer or a contributor, our story becomes their story.  They’re the people that make our incredible success possible, and they become our best advocates.
 
How is The Extension fairing during these tough economic times?
 
As an organization, we’ve had some tough times financially, especially early on in our formative years transitioning from an emergency winter shelter to what has become the preeminent residential recovery program for homeless, addicted men and women in the State.   I think in many ways those early struggles prepared us for the recession the country and our organization has experienced recently.  The country hasn’t experienced anything this bad in well over a generation, and it’s been tough for The Extension.  When we initiated our expansion to serve women, the economy was booming, but by the time we opened in the summer of 2009 the economy went bust.  It was difficult taking on new expenses, but we made it over what I hope is the worst of it.  Things are tight; there is no doubt about it, and there are things we would like to do that we can’t afford right now, but the residents in our program are getting the best services available.  We’re fulfilling our mission; men and women are gaining a new life, and that’s the bottom line.  The back of our t-shirt says, “It’s a God thing” and despite the economy, with the help of the community, we’ll continue to be a God thing.
 
What does the future hold for The Extension?
 
The Extension will always be about providing the highest level of addiction recovery services to those who could not otherwise afford it.  That’s what we do.  That’s what we’ll always do.  But that doesn’t fully answer your question, does it?  The Board of Directors, as part of its responsibility, reviews and updates The Extension’s Strategic Plan every spring.  We’re committed to growing the organization in response to the growing need.  That growth will include serving people outside of Cobb County in areas where there is great need but where there are few existing services to meet that need.  But I want our supporters to know that contributions given in Cobb will stay in Cobb.  We are a local organization, with a local address, serving people in our community.  We will apply what we’ve learned in Cobb to other communities, with support coming from those communities.  We’ve grown as an organization; we’ve become stronger and more able.  Our grateful response is to accept the increased challenges that strength allows us to meet.  Next year will be our 25th anniversary.  I promise that the next 25 years will be even more incredible than the previous 25.