By Geoff Smith (@smithco on Twitter)

Interim CEO chosen for permanent role at YWCA

Nov 10, 2016 | 11:03 AM

LETHBRIDGE — The CEO’s office is being filled by a familiar face for the YWCA in Lethbridge.

Jennifer Lepko has been with the organization for five years, most recently as interim CEO. Now the search committee has decided to give her the job permanently.

“Jennifer brings a dynamic perspective that will effectively serve this organization and the community for years to come,” board co-chair Jaylene Ulmer said in a news release.

In an interview with Lethbridge News Now, Lepko said her first job is to get the name of the YWCA out and make sure people know about their programming, with more than 20,000 services being provided this year.

But a long-term issue Lepko hopes to address is a severe lack of space.

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“We are crammed into this building,” she explained. “It’s a phenomenal building, a phenomenal location, but we are definitely sitting on top of each other trying to do our work.

“We need more space for our shelter and for our women’s residence as well. We’re turning away over 2,000 — this year I’m not even going to be surprised if we hit 3,000 — women and children that we have not had a safe bed for. Because we have only 24 beds in our shelter.”

Lepko said the work on that front is only just beginning, and will have to include a feasibility study.

“Conversations are always happening,” she said. “We’re talking to the provincial government to see what are our options in terms of creating some second-stage housing, in terms of expanding our shelter services; looking at some different locations or potential locations in the city will be definitely something.”

The YWCA Lethbridge and District has been working to enhance the lives of women for nearly 70 years.

by Geoff Smith (@smithco on Twitter)

Interim CEO chosen for permanent role at YWCA

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