S2S adds Executive Director in Houston to advance its innovative approach to ending situational homelessness in the area through partnerships with the multifamily housing industry.
VIENNA, Va. – June 29, 2021–Shelters to Shutters (S2S), a national non-profit that transitions individuals and families from homelessness to economic self-sufficiency through partnerships with apartment companies, announced today that Gaye Jackson has joined the organization as Executive Director for its Houston operations. In her role, Jackson will work to strategically grow the program in Houston to become a premier employment and housing placement agency for individuals and families at risk of or facing homelessness.
Jackson spent over 30 years successfully running and managing her own business before moving into leadership roles for non-profit organizations making a difference for those in her community. Most recently Jackson served as Houston City Director for Lemonade Day, a national nonprofit that helps prepare youth for life through fun, proactive and experiential programs infused with life skills, character education, and entrepreneurship. Prior to that role, she served as Executive Director for The Guild Shop of St. John the Divine. Jackson will be the first Executive Director for Shelters to Shutters in the Houston market.
“The Executive Director position is a key role for our growth strategy in the Houston area. Gaye is a native Houstonian with a proven entrepreneurial background and a passion for our mission. Under Gaye’s leadership and with the support of our Houston City Advisory Board, I have no doubt our organization will make a meaningful and lasting impact in the community for years to come,” said David Williams, Shelters to Shutters’ President and CEO.
S2S partners with over 40 apartment management companies to place people experiencing homelessness in onsite, entry-level jobs, and provide them with housing at the same communities where they work. S2S provides each participant with career mentoring and access to support services to ensure a successful long-term transition. S2S works with multiple homeless-focused non-profits to identify suitable job applicants. The program changes the lives of individuals and families while providing quality, motivated employees for a rapidly growing industry in need of talent.
“I am more than thrilled to be accepting this opportunity to lead Shelters to Shutters in the Houston area. There is so much to be done to help those experiencing homelessness in our city. I find S2S an innovative way of assisting those who are situationally homeless. I believe my hometown will embrace this and work alongside us to make a huge difference in the lives of many,” said Jackson.
Shelters to Shutters piloted its program in Houston in 2019 and launched the Houston City Advisory Board in 2020 comprised of leaders within the community committed to the mission and to creating a sustainable pathway for program support.
Houston City Advisory Members are: Michael Bent, SBC Global; Katie Croasdale, Senior Vice President, Guaranty Bank & Trust; Luis de la Fuente, Chief Audit Executive, BBVA USA; Tim Greene, Business Development Manager, Deep Imaging; Chad Kalland, CEO, Vecta Environmental Services; Craig Klein, CEO, SalesNexus; Jesse Pletts, President & CEO, Superior Optimization, Ltd.; Paula Sacks, Chief HR, Communications and CSR Officer, ENGIE North America.
“I am thrilled to have Gaye leading our efforts on the ground here in Houston. We are a city full of compassionate and caring individuals who want to make a difference. By bringing Shelters to Shutters into every local apartment community in our area, we offer a pathway to both employment and housing for our Houstonians in need of a hand up. Our city advisory board looks forward to working with Gaye to grow our impact and get more people involved in this critical mission,” Katie Croasdale, Houston City Advisory Board Chair.
“The Houston City Advisory Board will be hosting a breakfast at the Houston Junior League on Thursday, September 23, 2021, 7:30 AM, to officially launch operations and introduce Shelters to Shutters to the Houston community. To learn more about attending the event, contact gaye.jackson@shelterstoshutters.org.”
About Shelters to Shutters
Shelters to Shutters is a national 501(c)(3) organization that transitions individuals and families from homelessness to economic self-sufficiency by educating and engaging the real estate industry to provide employment and housing opportunities. Across the country, Shelters to Shutters pairs leading property management companies with individuals experiencing homelessness who are ready to work. The result is an innovative program that provides full-time employment and housing opportunities for individuals facing homelessness and a pipeline of high quality, motivated employees for the multifamily housing industry. Since its founding in 2014, S2S and its multifamily partners have assisted individuals and families out of homelessness in markets throughout the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, Northeast, South and Texas. More information can be found at www.shelterstoshutters.org or by following the organization on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.