Thank You, Wendy Saunders!

Sep 6

Letter from the Pastor
23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sept. 8, 2024

Thank You, Wendy Saunders

In mid-July, Wendy Sauders, the Executive Director of the Long Beach Island Community Center, commonly known as the St. Francis Community Center, handed me her letter of resignation and told me that she would like to return to private counseling. She explained that one-on-one counseling has always been her passion and something she has missed since becoming the Executive Director. Fortunately, Wendy generously agreed to remain in the position until mid-October to allow us to complete a search and smoothly transition to new leadership.

Those who have never been to St. Francis Parish and Center are typically amazed when they walk through the Center building. The impression deepens when they hear how many programs, services, and events we offer: a daycare center, counseling, senior activities, recreation, and various other support services provided to the community through our Center. The big “Wow” usually happens when they see that we not only have a regulation-size gymnasium but also a competition-size indoor pool and two heated outdoor pools. Rightly so, people should be amazed. St. Francis Parish and Center is a unique place for a Catholic parish community. It has grown to be something not many parishes can claim.

The pastor is ex officio the chair of the Board of Directors, but I can attest that the pastor relies heavily on the Executive Director to run the operation on the Center side of the aisle.

Wendy has been the Executive Director for the past seven years and has served our community well. She has led the different departments within the Center, including the two satellite offices in Toms River and Berkeley Township, managed numerous crises, and saw that the Center would continue its outreach to the community. She has helped procure funding through multiple grants to fund the Center and found the balance to lead by example. Perhaps her largest challenge was steering the Center through Covid when everything was shut down and then through the rebuilding process once the major threat had passed.

Wendy was no stranger to the Center when she became the Executive Director. A native of Beach Haven, she knew the Island well. She began working at the Center as the Office Manager of the Counseling Center. A few years into that position, she decided to return to school. For over ten years, while working full-time at the Center, she took classes and ultimately earned a Master’s in Social Work. That’s dedication!! Wendy then became the Director of our Senior Services for four years. When the position of Director of Counseling became available, she applied for that job and became its director and remained there for seven years. In 2017, she was selected to be the Executive Director of the Center. It goes without saying that Wendy has served the Center well.

Soon after receiving the news, I formed a search committee of fellow board members and parishioners to help find the next Executive Director who could lead us into the future. I asked Dr. Robert Hazlett, a former Executive Director of the Center, to chair the committee. His expertise and time as the Executive Director are quite insightful for our search. The process has begun, and we have started interviewing candidates.

With a grateful heart, I thank Wendy for all she has done for us and St. Francis Community Center. Her dedication and commitment to St. Francis Parish and Center have indeed been a gift to us and the community at large. Wendy, may God continue to bless you in your new ventures as life leads you forward.