A message from Kiantae Bowles, Chair of the Board of Directors | November 10, 2022
Dear Friend,
It is with mixed emotions that I announce the departure of our President & CEO, Paul W. Hamann. After more than twenty years of service to The Night Ministry, Paul has decided that this is the most advantageous time to step away from the Organization and focus on the next chapter of his career. His last day with the Organization will be November 18, 2022.
Paul has led The Night Ministry to an exciting point in its history and has positioned it for further growth, as we continue to innovate our programming and develop new approaches to serving members of the community who are unhoused or experiencing poverty.
Please join me in thanking Paul for his service and in recognizing him for his leadership and role in the Organization, having accomplished so much during his tenure as President & CEO of The Night Ministry. Some of these accomplishments include:
- Several successful capital campaigns that raised critical funds to support the expansion of the organization and its mission, including a campaign for a new Health Outreach Bus and the recent Campaign for The Night Ministry;
- An increase in the size of the Organization, more than doubling its annual operating budget to its current $11 million;
- An increase in programming that had included the addition of 37 beds nightly available for homeless youth, the start of the Youth Flexible Housing Pool, and implementation of Youth Diversion services;
- An increase in services to adults who live on or are exposed to the streets, including the implementation of the CTA Project and Street Medicine;
- The start of The Night Ministry's efforts to better track data and to use it to improve programs. Under Paul's leadership, the Learning and Impact Department (originally called Mission Fulfillment) was begun;
- The move to The Night Ministry's Bucktown headquarters, which positioned the organization to continue broadening its reach and deepening its impact in the community;
- The relocation of The Crib overnight shelter to a new facility that allows for more comprehensive services and provides a more dignified experience for guests;
- Leadership through the COVID pandemic, which protected the safety of staff, clients, and volunteers while maintaining the operation of the organization's services during uncertain times;
- The implementation of several strategic plans, including our current plan: Advancing Equity and Expanding Impact.
And, under his leadership, The Night Ministry moved forward on its commitment to becoming an anti-racist organization.
Your support of The Night Ministry's mission, and the relationships you have built with us over the past two decades, have played an important role in the realization of these milestones. I want to thank you for your deep engagement with us and for your care for those whom The Night Ministry serves.
The Night Ministry's Board of Directors will begin a search for a new President & CEO. In the meantime, our Senior Vice President, Erin Ryan, will serve as interim President & CEO. I am confident in the ability of Erin, the Executive Team, and the Board to lead the organization during this transition period and beyond.
Thank you for your ongoing support of The Night Ministry's mission.
Sincerely,
Kiantae Bowles
Chair, The Night Ministry's Board of Directors