Mission Central's Executive Director, Paula Jernigan, has announced that she will retire in early 2018.

Paula joined Mission Central in 2010 after her "first" retirement from Mississippi State University. Since that time, the organization's annual revenues have almost tripled, allowing us to serve 30,000 of our neighbors each year. To accommodate this growth, Paula has led the organization through four construction projects and a 5-year strategic planning process.  

"Paula has truly expanded our ability to empower people in our community," said Kevin Henson, president of Mission Central's board of directors. "Her keen business sense and compassionate heart have helped poise Mission Central to be a central resource for our neighbors in need in Hurst, Euless, and Bedford. We are sad to know she'll be leaving Mission Central, but we are also grateful that her leadership the past seven years has allowed us to change thousands of lives for the better."

Mission Central's Board of Directors has contracted with CNM Connect to lead the search for a new Executive Director. Their recruitment staff will receive resumes and evaluate which candidates are the best matches to move forward into an interview process with a Search Committee that has been appointed by the Board of Directors. For more information regarding the position, visit CNM Connect's website.

While Paula is eager to begin spending time with her family and friends, she will continue on a part-time basis as Mission Central's Executive Director until the earlier of March 31, 2018 or the hiring of a new Executive Director. Beginning in January, her work schedule will be Monday through Wednesday.

Guy Housewright has been named the Manager of the Coat of Many Colors Resale Shop.

Guy joined the Mission Central staff as our Donations Processing Coordinator in December 2016. In the past year, he has worked to improve the flow of donations at the Coat of Many Colors and has helped maximize revenues by selling high-end items through online specialty websites. Following Karen Knox's resignation to start her food truck business, Guy was named Interim Manager of the Coat of Many Colors. His dedication and leadership during this transition period made it clear that he would be the best choice for the Manager position.

Prior to his work at Mission Central, Guy worked a campus photographer and administrative assistant in the Office of Development at TCU and also served as the Assistant Manager of a university bookstore.

This past semester, a group of TCU nursing students have volunteered at the Village Library as part of their public heath class.

The nursing students rotated as regular tutors, helping the students with their homework and helping build their reading and math skills. However, they also provided special hygiene lessons to the students including a class on the proper way to wash hands and the proper way to brush teeth. 

In the past year, Mission Central has worked to include more enrichment activities like these to the Village Library curriculum. In addition to homework help, students are connected with professionals in a wide range of areas to help broaden their life skills and begin to explore vocational possibilities.