Susanne Wilczek
A former development director for The Shalom Center in Kenosha as well as a veteran of working in senior recreation in Texas has been named the new executive director of The Sharing Center in Paddock Lake.
Susanne Wilczek will officially begin her duties next week.
She replaces Lynn Biese, who left the center earlier this year to pursue other opportunities.
Kimberly Swanson,president of The Sharing Center Board of Directors, said:
Susanne comes to the Center with extensive experience in the non-profit world. Having worked under Dan Melyon, the executive director of the Shalom Center, for 5 years, Susanne brings forth a great understanding on the importance of serving our clients and the community. With her grant writing, fundraising and volunteer coordinating experience the Board is very excited to announce her arrival on June 6th. On top of her work experience, Susanne will be graduating with her Master of Social Work degree – which enhances the enthusiasm and compassion Susanne will bring to the Center.”
Wilczek lives in Brighton on a former dairy farm with her husband, Charles Wolbers, a teacher at Tremper High School in Kenosha.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in social work and is finishing up a master’s degree in that discipline as well.
The five years that Wilczek worked for The Shalom Center were her first working with a relief agency. However, she feels her former experience working with senior recreation and volunteer programs also will serve her well in her new position.
“My experience has always been working with people and working with a lot of volunteers,” Wilczek said. “My strength is working with the community.”
As for her new position with The Sharing Center, Wilczek said she feels her first order of business will be getting a handle on the basic day-to-day operations of Western Kenosha County’s largest relief agency. Then she would like to explore expanding self-help programs at the center, with perhaps nutrition education or job coaching as examples.
“It’s an excellent organization,” Wilczek said of the center.
Wilczek is also a licensed local United Methodist pastor. In her spare time, she likes to garden and has a strong interest in photography.
Would like to see a resale shop so that the funds raised can go to the center.
Center could then purchase what they need and not exhaust those the fundraisers and the fundgivers. If I am not mistaken, based on a pamphlet I picked up at Love Inc in Burlington, 75% of their cash (and they do fundraise as well) is from their resale shops. They let those in need purchase items with ‘love money’. I am not so sure about self-help. Still, Wilczek has a big job in front of her. Hope she gets a lot of positive visibility! And all the helpers and the supporters of Sharing Center continue their good works.