NoVAPeers wiki / CWCResignationLetter

From: Jerry

To: CWC

Date: Tuesday Dec 12th, 2006

Dear CWC:

I regret to inform you that I am resigning effective immediately.

Over more than the last two years, I have worked to create consumer

owned and operated programs in the Northern Virginia area,

specifically in Fairfax County. My first year was with what became to

be called On Our Own of Fairfax County, or humorously OOOFC. It may

or may not surprise you to know that I had something to do with

naming that center, as advocates tend to name places and programs

memorializing deceased consumers such as the Laurie Mitchell

Employment Center (LMEC).

Anyway, my second year started with Our Place of Falls Church, (OPFC)

with existing leadership (Rhonda, Mark, Kathy and a few others) when

I attended the CSPNJ conference. It was a small group and probably

not enough people to create a center. There were difficulties getting

meeting space at PRS, transporting people to meetings and difficulties

interacting well with others as well as confirming meetings with the

county funders. Many of these difficulties you are aware of and some

you may not be.

This lead to the efforts to get state funding and diversify the

funding and control of centers beyond just Fairfax County. The

Regional Recovery Work Group (RRWG) developed a proposal for $1.51

million in state funding, of which approximately $400k was planned for

Consumer Operated Services.

The RRWG meetings and occured as Lori and Tressa were likely

soliciting participation and getting Elaine to consult on the mid

county drop in center.

The bottom line is that the RRWG is up and running with funding

beginning to flow in the last month or so. I need to concentrate on

other efforts in order to accomplish the original mission of

developing consumer operated programs in the area.

My apologies for doing this abruptly, but the last staff meeting made

it clear to me that I would not be doing what I had hoped at CWC.

It has been my pleasure to know everyone at CWC and wish you continued

success in what will likely become a central part of the consumer

community.

Jerry W

NoVAPeers