Debby Dover is no longer executive director of the small Vancouver-based nonprofit Second Step Housing as of Monday. The Council for the Homeless, located in the same Uptown Village building as Second Step, is helping the nonprofit with day-to-day management and operational support.
In reviewing the nonprofit’s strategic plan and mission, the 12-member board of directors determined it was time for a change in executive leadership to move the organization forward, said Shauna McCloskey, board president. Second Step provides affordable permanent and transitional housing, along with other supportive services, to people who are homeless or low-income. Dover became executive director of Second Step Housing in May of 2009, shortly after the agency changed its name from YW Housing and moved its headquarters to 2500 Main St.
“I feel extremely blessed to have been associated with YWHousing, now Second Step Housing for the past 16 years. It was a privilege to work in this community and to work with an amazing staff who I know will continue to change lives as they help people realize their true potential,” Dover said in a written statement.
Although the nonprofit is small — currently employing four employees with a fifth starting Monday — more than 450 people are served annually by its programs. Second Step manages 12 transitional housing properties and 42 units of affordable housing.
Sunday’s Run Like a Girl race, the nonprofit’s largest fundraiser, will take place in downtown Vancouver as planned. More than 450 people signed up for the race, which is nearly double the number of registrations as last year, McCloskey said.
Also, she said, the construction timeline remains on track for The Meadows, a 30-unit apartment complex that should break ground by the end of this month, McCloskey said.
Andy Silver, executive director of the Council for the Homeless, said his agency is temporarily helping out to ensure Second Step continues running smoothly. The council will help Second Step’s board assess the agency’s strengths and organization to determine what leadership should look like moving forward.
“We are committed and dedicated to sustaining the mission of the agency,” McCloskey said. “We definitely want to highlight Debby Dover’s contributions.”
During her tenure, Second Step Housing opened a six-bedroom rental for women going through the Drug Court program, started a partnership with Clark College, rehabilitated a three-unit apartment complex that houses former foster youth and began work on The Meadows.
Silver said Second Step plays “a vital role in the community because they both build affordable housing and are part of our crisis response system to homelessness.”
Interim executive leadership can be contacted at sshexecboard@secondstephousing.org or 360-993-5301.
