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Weza has new role with Community Lifeline

After 16 years of service to the Shelton-based nonprofit Community Lifeline, longtime Executive Director Barb Weza will serve as the group's development director.

Instead of filling the executive position, Community Lifeline has instead hired Athena Ayes as the new shelter manager. Weza will be working from her home office.

As development director, Weza said her duties include networking in the community, speaking to groups, writing grant proposals and overseeing fundraising. She is reaching out to residents and business owners in the Belfair area to help connect people in need to resources, including dental and mental health.

Sixteen years ago, Weza was working for a nonprofit agency that asked her to be its advisor on an advocacy program,

"I never stopped," Weza said. She added, "It's a calling."

The shelter's clientele has changed over the years, and these days about half are 50 and older, Weza said.

"They've got many health issues," she said. "Many are homeless for the first time in their lives."

Some of them became homeless when their rents were raised, or the properties where they lived were purchased, Weza said. Many are suffering from severe mental illness and addiction, she said.

The shelter offers 35 beds year-round, but Community Lifeline is working with the City of Shelton to meet standards that will allow it to increase to 50 beds, Weza said. Community Lifeline will also conduct a feasibility study to see if it is worthwhile to put money into the building it purchased five years ago from St. David of Wales Episcopal Church.

Community Lifeline became a 24-hour shelter despite a lack of resources, "with a staff that rocks," Weza said. "It's been a pleasure to work side-by-side with them every day ... I'm grieving some because my role is changing."

Author Bio

Gordon Weeks, Reporter

Shelton-Mason County Journal & Belfair Herald

 

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