It is with a mix of sadness and gratitude that Family Refuge Center announces Kenosha Davenport’s departure as Executive Director.

Since 2015, Davenport has played a critical role in the development and success of the organization. The Board of Directors, staff and community partners, alike, will miss her and her inspiring leadership, and wish her the best of luck in her new endeavor as the Executive Director of a dedicated rape crisis center in Minnesota.

Davenport’s four years of dedicated service involved many significant accomplishments, including:

• Opening Mercer County’s first Rape Crisis Center
• Renovations to the Anne Blair Emergency Shelter: creating a more assessable living environment for senior and disabled clients.
• Creating the HOMES (Housing, Outreach, Mentorship, Empowerment and Support) program to begin in 2019.
• Improving the organization’s sustainability through revenue generations which lead to Family Refuge Center’s first $1,000,000 budget.

When asked what her thoughts were about leaving, Davenport quotes A.A. Milne, “How lucky I am to have something to make saying good-bye so hard.” While she was torn about leaving Family Refuge Center and the communities they serve, Davenport is looking forward to this next step and feels assured the interim leadership, staff and Board of Directors will continue to push the organization in a forward direction.

Over the next few months, Family Refuge Center will be under the leadership of Co-Acting Executive Directors, Stefani Keys, shelter director and Laura Martin, director of corporate relations. “We are looking forward to the future of Family Refuge Center because Kenosha’s leadership has always been about positivity, progressiveness and looking at the big picture,” states Keys and Martin collectively.

During this transition period, it is the priority of the Board of Directors to find the best individual to lead, while still maintaining a stable and effective organization. Those interested in applying for the position can view the posting on both Indeed and Idealist websites.

Family Refuge Center provides shelter and supportive services for victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, stalking and elder abuse in Greenbrier, Mercer, Monroe and Pocahontas Counties.