House of Hope announces leadership team

Posted 11/22/16

Laura Jaworski, MSW, has been appointed executive director of House of Hope Community Development Corporation. In addition, House of Hope announced that Deborah Imondi, formerly assistant treasurer of Textron Inc. and current executive director of the RI

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House of Hope announces leadership team

Posted

Laura Jaworski, MSW, has been appointed executive director of House of Hope Community Development Corporation.

In addition, House of Hope announced that Deborah Imondi, formerly assistant treasurer of Textron Inc. and current executive director of the RI 4-H Club Foundation Inc., has been elected president of the agency’s all-volunteer board of directors.

William E. Stein, MSW, LICSW, 38, has been promoted to the new post of clinical director of operations.

"I am pleased to serve an organization that has helped so many homeless Rhode Islanders, and done so with compassion and professionalism,” Imondi said in a statement. “I am confident Laura's leadership will assure the organization's continued growth and effectiveness in meeting the needs of our homeless population."

Jaworski, 38, is the second person to head House of Hope since its founding in 1989. Jean Johnson, founding director, resigned in June. Jaworski has served as interim executive director since then with Stein, 38, serving as interim associate executive director.

With experience in several nonprofit social service agencies, Jaworski has overseen programs for the homeless, as well as for victims and perpetrators of domestic abuse. She joined House of Hope in January, 2015 and had been the agency’s associate director of programs and policies.

“It is an honor and privilege to lead this dynamic organization into the next phase of our work,” Jaworski said in a statement. “House of Hope has a long record of working with individuals and families impacted by homelessness through the development of quality affordable housing, and the delivery of quality, compassionate supportive services.”

Headquartered in Warwick, House of Hope has a staff of 23, who provide counseling and other social services to more than 700 homeless people throughout Greater Providence. The agency was forced to dramatically scale back operations this summer after losing the state contract to run Harrington Hall, the shelter for homeless men in Cranston.

House of Hope helps homeless adults and families move into apartments, often supported by state subsidies; afterwards, case managers stay in touch with new residents to ensure their transitions will be permanent. House of Hope offers job programs, including Peer Mentor training that prepares homeless men and women for paid social service staff positions.

The nonprofit agency’s street outreach service includes volunteer nursing and medical students, who locate and engage people who live outdoors. House of Hope operates overnight and transitional shelters in the Blackstone Valley and Providence, and a day center in Pawtucket.

House of Hope’s development efforts have restored 14 buildings throughout Warwick that make available 40 high-quality affordable homes for 80 adults and children.

The agency’s latest project, reconstructing the historic “Fair House” at 69 Fair St. in Warwick’s Pawtuxet Village neighborhood, will add 10 more apartments when it opens early next year. The 1819 building originally was an exhibit hall for Rhode Island state fairs. An open house and opportunity for the community to meet the new leadership team will be held Dec. 7 at House of Hope CDC, 3188 Post Rd. from 4 to 7 p.m.

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