Andrea Vent, a 25-year nonprofit veteran and the former director of advancement for Boys & Girls Town of Missouri, began working Oct. 14 as executive director of Isabel’s House Crisis Nursery of the Ozarks. She has taken over duties for interim director JaeLeann Veltan, who filled in after Dottie Mullikin left suddenly in March following a less than six-month stint. Vent said the board, which recruited her to the position, did not address her predecessor’s resignation during the interview process. With a $1.1 million operating budget, fundraising is key to Vent’s job, as she said only $300,000 in state funds are dedicated to the nursery that serves families often living on the edge of homelessness.
Prevention Moves “I had worked in programs on the social services side – I have a degree in social services – but then I had worked on the fundraising side and I have a degree in business, so this position allowed me to pull on all of my skills. But more than that, I think most of my work in social services has been on that side after children have been removed from the home. Isabel’s House allows me to move to that preventive side, so we are really on the forefront of strengthening families and in having that direct impact on children’s lives and families’ lives.”
Beyond Education “I have a bachelor’s in social work and a master’s in business administration. I went to (University of Missouri-St. Louis) and Fontbonne [University]. UMSL was the bachelor’s. I am in the business of helping people, and I am a St. Louis native. … I really want to help children and families. That is really a passion. So, understanding the social services side is very important, but I also believe you have to have good fiscal management, and that is why I chose to get my business degree. You have to manage an organization well in order to serve those you are wanting to help. … I came to Boys & Girls Town as director of residential services in the St. Louis area. Then, I was recruited down here for the director of advancement position.”
The Board & Mullikin’s Move “They really did not share that information with me. They really were just focused on the future and moving forward, so it really wasn’t part of our conversation. I really wasn’t interested in why she left. … The Junior League members were the founding members. They brought this dream to life, which was an amazing feat. They are the building. They are the structure. They have really done it all. We have a separate board of directors in which the bylaws say we always have to have representation from the Junior League on the board of directors. Their goal is for Isabel’s House to be a stand-alone [organization]. So, they created it, brought it to life, supported it and got us up and running, and just like you do with a child, they are saying ‘Now, it is time to go on your own.’ … We have (a $1 million) endowment. I don’t know that many organizations that are seven years old have an endowment. … We are in sound financial shape.”
In the Backroom “I am working hand in hand with the board of directors and the staff in all aspects of the organization. Sometimes that means I’m in the backroom holding a little one who is crying, and sometimes I am fundraising and making sure we are providing the best services for families. We have a state contract, so we are a licensed state agency. We receive about one-third of our funding from the state. We have to raise the additional money. We are really blessed in the Springfield community with some of the biggest hearts, but it (comes) through asking and through special events. We have an Oscar night. Last year, we netted $165,000 from Oscar night, and it is usually 500 guests and up. In March of next year, it will be called Hooray for Hollywood. Our big campaign for Christmas is called Lighting the Tree (and) we do a program called Donor Next Door, where we get people to do just $5 a month. If everyone gives a little, it helps a lot.”
Family Followers “Our highest population is families that are homeless or facing homelessness. Most of our children are under 6 years of age. We can hold up to 20 and we can hold up to age 12. … We have seen mothers who are struggling with drug addiction and are going into rehab and needing a safe place for their children until they can get back to where they need to be. … The other part of what we do is we provide resources to families. We are not just about the child, we are also about looking at that family or parent and asking how can we help them get into stable housing. … Right now, our average is about eight days, but we follow that family for a year. This is about trying to turn each family’s life situation around.”
This installment of Springfield Business Journal’s Architects & Engineers Project Report showcases 26 endeavors by area design and engineering professionals.
