Farewell to John Brooks, Chief Development Officer

February 15, 2023

 

 

 

A Message from John B. Brooks, Chief Development Officer

 

Dear Columbus House Family,

 

It is with great sadness but also great excitement that I announce I will be stepping down as Chief Development Officer of Columbus House after 19 years of service.

 

It has often been said that you will know when it is time to move on and I know in my heart it is, indeed, time. I had a great run at Columbus House and now it’s time to enter a new chapter. My wife, Monica, and I will spend more time with our new grandson Colin, we will do a bit of traveling and visiting of old friends and family, and will do a lot more cycling! (Rock to Rock is April 29th!)

 

While leaving Columbus House is an extremely difficult decision, I look forward to helping other non-profits with their fund development endeavors (on a very part-time basis); continuing teaching fundraising through the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP); and pursuing my dream of teaching college-level fundraising and non-profit management courses.

 

I am so proud of the many accomplishments that we – Columbus House staff, partners, Board of Directors, donors, and volunteers – have achieved together! We’ve grown from a relatively small New Haven based organization to a regional powerhouse providing a comprehensive array of services for those experiencing homelessness.

 

During my tenure, I had the opportunity to be part of so many impactful milestones. Together with the Development Team, I helped plan and execute Columbus House’s 25th, 30th and 40th Anniversary events. I witnessed the opening of multiple permanent housing sites – such as Whalley Terrace, Legion Woods, Harkness House, Val Macri, Shepherd Home, the Yale Jim Vlock initiative, and Peterson Properties – that provide formerly homeless individuals the stable housing and support needed to help them regain their independence. I was here for the acquisition of our Men’s Seasonal Overflow Shelter and Annex locations which give access to shelter, services, and more to hundreds of people each year. I was involved in the acquisition of the Middlesex Family Shelter and Wallingford Emergency Shelters, expanding our reach to give compassionate, first-rate care to more people without a place to sleep at night. And I was here for the creation of Abraham's Tent. The growth has been truly amazing and I’m so proud to have been a part of that growth along with all of you.

 

I’m sure you would agree, the pandemic was by far the most challenging time many of us have ever faced. I’m proud of the role that we all played in helping the agency successfully navigate through the pandemic. We kept clients and staff safe, exceeded fund-raising projections, and volunteers remained by our side even though key activities, like meal service, were discontinued.

 

Columbus House attracted national media coverage on our innovative efforts to keep those we serve safe. While the development team had zero experience with virtual events, we learned quickly how to produce meaningful, informative and fun events that were sponsored, supported and attended by our incredible community of partners, donors, and volunteers. As a result of our pandemic efforts, and thanks to our dedicated supporters, the development team raised an additional $800,000 over budget during the years of 2020, 2021 & 2022!

 

I have never worked with a more committed group of people, and I will miss you all the most!

It has been my honor to work together toward our vision of a day when everyone has a place to call home and no one has to live in a car, under a bridge, in a tent or in an abandoned building. I wish Columbus House staff and supporters much success in your efforts in seeing that vision come to fruition.

 

All the best,

John

 

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