Tri Lakes Tribune > News
Director’s position was all about TLC
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| Judith Pettibone is handing over her executive director responsibilities to Debbie Swanson after five years with Tri-Lakes Cares. Photo by Nicole Chillino |
By Nicole Chillino
After five years of serving the Tri-Lakes community with care, Judith Pettibone is retiring.
The executive director of Tri-Lakes Cares has seen the organization grow along with the needs found in the area.
Pettibone is helping transition Debbie Swanson into her new role as executive director.
One of Pettibone’s favorite memories is that of a client who was able to become self-sufficient enough to pay forward the assistance he gained from Tri-Lakes Cares. Pettibone said she will remember all of her clients over the years and the ways they have expressed their gratitude.
“Our days are always brightened when we see how they’re doing,” she said.
Pettibone’s own giving heart and winning way with people shows in how she manages the organization and the way she treats her clients as well as her paid and volunteer staff.
“She has been the absolute best,” said Bonnie Allen, who volunteers with Tri-Lakes Cares.
Carrie Oliver, Tri-Lakes Cares Assistance Programs manager, has volunteered with TLC for 15 years and has known Pettibone since she became the executive director five years ago.
“What she has accomplished in five years is just amazing,” Oliver said.
Since taking her position as executive director, Pettibone has been instrumental in moving the organization from an 900-square-foot garage to an 8,000-square-foot building in 2007, Oliver said. She has also helped fill the building with the northern satellite of the Pikes Peak Workforce Center, a free medical clinic for people who are uninsured or underinsured, and a GED program.
“I believe atmosphere is important,” Pettibone said. Those who give their time to the organization strive to ensure people feel better about their lives when they leave the building than they did when they came in.
The new building allowed the organization to provide a warm, welcoming atmosphere for its clients from the moment they walk in the door.
The board of directors worked hard to get together everything that was necessary for the organization to move into its two-story building, she said. Tri-Lakes Cares could not have constructed the new building without all of the in-kind and monetary donations it received.
With a new building came strategic planning for the future of the organization, she said.
Oliver and Pettibone have spent the last 18 months researching non-profit thrift shops before opening Hangers, a thrift store where proceeds benefit Tri-Lakes Cares.
“This is the organization that love built,” Pettibone said. She added the name Tri-Lakes Cares describes how the community it serves feels about those in need.
Changes could not have been made in Tri-Lakes Cares without the board and volunteers she has worked with over the years, Pettibone said. She will miss the sense of friendship she found in her workplace and the families the organization helps.
“The energy people put into this organization is humbling,” Pettibone said. Most volunteers and staff have been giving their time to Tri-Lakes Cares for years. “She was the right person at the right time,” Oliver said. Pettibone has always been positive, upbeat and has been a wonderful representative of the organization.
“I’ll miss it,” she said, adding she is looking forward to spending more time with her family. “I feel privileged to have had this chance to serve this community and make a difference.”
The executive director of Tri-Lakes Cares has seen the organization grow along with the needs found in the area.
Pettibone is helping transition Debbie Swanson into her new role as executive director.
One of Pettibone’s favorite memories is that of a client who was able to become self-sufficient enough to pay forward the assistance he gained from Tri-Lakes Cares. Pettibone said she will remember all of her clients over the years and the ways they have expressed their gratitude.
“Our days are always brightened when we see how they’re doing,” she said.
Pettibone’s own giving heart and winning way with people shows in how she manages the organization and the way she treats her clients as well as her paid and volunteer staff.
“She has been the absolute best,” said Bonnie Allen, who volunteers with Tri-Lakes Cares.
Carrie Oliver, Tri-Lakes Cares Assistance Programs manager, has volunteered with TLC for 15 years and has known Pettibone since she became the executive director five years ago.
“What she has accomplished in five years is just amazing,” Oliver said.
Since taking her position as executive director, Pettibone has been instrumental in moving the organization from an 900-square-foot garage to an 8,000-square-foot building in 2007, Oliver said. She has also helped fill the building with the northern satellite of the Pikes Peak Workforce Center, a free medical clinic for people who are uninsured or underinsured, and a GED program.
“I believe atmosphere is important,” Pettibone said. Those who give their time to the organization strive to ensure people feel better about their lives when they leave the building than they did when they came in.
The new building allowed the organization to provide a warm, welcoming atmosphere for its clients from the moment they walk in the door.
The board of directors worked hard to get together everything that was necessary for the organization to move into its two-story building, she said. Tri-Lakes Cares could not have constructed the new building without all of the in-kind and monetary donations it received.
With a new building came strategic planning for the future of the organization, she said.
Oliver and Pettibone have spent the last 18 months researching non-profit thrift shops before opening Hangers, a thrift store where proceeds benefit Tri-Lakes Cares.
“This is the organization that love built,” Pettibone said. She added the name Tri-Lakes Cares describes how the community it serves feels about those in need.
Changes could not have been made in Tri-Lakes Cares without the board and volunteers she has worked with over the years, Pettibone said. She will miss the sense of friendship she found in her workplace and the families the organization helps.
“The energy people put into this organization is humbling,” Pettibone said. Most volunteers and staff have been giving their time to Tri-Lakes Cares for years. “She was the right person at the right time,” Oliver said. Pettibone has always been positive, upbeat and has been a wonderful representative of the organization.
“I’ll miss it,” she said, adding she is looking forward to spending more time with her family. “I feel privileged to have had this chance to serve this community and make a difference.”
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